A COMPARISON OF 3 RORSCHACH DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS AND USE OF THE HAND TEST FOR DETECTING MULTIPLE PERSONALITY-DISORDER IN OUTPATIENTS

Eleven individuals diagnosed with multiple personality disorder (MPD) on the basis of clinical observation by experienced therapists plus el evated scores on the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES; Bernstein & Putnam, 1986) were administered the Rorschach Inkblot Test and the Han d Test. Results from the sample (n = 11) and a matched control group ( N = 22) were analyzed and discussed in accordance with previous Rorsch ach diagnostic systems. The Wagner Signs diagnosed 91% (n = 10) of the MPD cases in this outpatient sample, with no false positives. The Lab ott Signs were found to have no utility, and the Barach Signs, when th ey occurred, seemed to be diagnostic of MPD but yielded a high rate of false negatives. Hand Test results were analyzed and found to be poss ibly diagnostic of MPD. Tentative criteria were proposed for its use a s an additional tool for diagnosing MPD.