Rorschach markers in offspring of manic-depressive patients

Background: Previously published data show large differences between euthymic Israeli adult bipolar patients and US normative data on several measures of psychological functioning as assessed with a sensitive projective measure (Rorschach Inkblot Test). The current study examines the Rorschach performance of healthy offspring of bipolar parents and compares them to matched normal controls. Methods: 14 asymptomatic offspring of Israeli manic-depressive parents were matched for age, gender, and other demographic variables with 14 children of normal parents. All subjects were individually administered the Rorschach Inkblot Test, and protocols were scored blindly according to the Exner Comprehensive System. Results: Offspring of bipolar parents, like bipolar patients themselves, show significantly increased incidence and severity of thought disorder (as defined by Exner), lower numbers of cognitively mediated affective responses, and fewer responses indicating conventional perceptions. Limitations and conclusions: Although the sample size is small, this study strengthens the possibility that these measures of psychological functioning may serve as markers for manic-depressive illness.