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FrancoAngeli Journals

Saggi, Studi e Ricerche

No. 72 (2025)

Representation of parental figures in patients with addiction through the Rorschach test

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3280/mis72-2025oa20770
Submitted
luglio 30, 2025
Published
2026-01-30

Abstract

Objective The present research aims to investigate the quality of object relations and the difference in representations of parental figures in patients with addiction, according to the substance taken as well as the program, through the Rorschach Inkblot Test. Can we assume that early relational dynamics with caregivers correspond to a greater vulnerability to dependence on one type of substance rather than another? Method The answers on the second, third and seventh card of 196 patients with different addictions were classified by the type of relationship identified, meanwhile the answers on the fourth and the seventh card were classified by the type of aspects projected. Results Few relationships have been identified by patients, with answers based mainly on the form, action and simple interaction. There was a significant association between the program and the answers at the fourth card (p=0.001), with higher depressive contents in drug addicts and higher aggressive contents in alcohol addicts. Moreover, the analysis of the responses to seventh card shows that, although the two groups of patients project massively and similarly the same amount aggressive content, the positive contents seen by drug addicts were three time higher than in alcohol addicts. Conclusions The results follow the theoretical line that believes that the type of primary substance could be a choice of object consistent with the introjected parental representations. Moreover, this study shows the inconsistency of the father figure in addicts, with experiences of deterioration and destructive attacks to the object and it highlights the ambivalent “positive-destructive relationship” regarding the representation of the mother figure. The results seem to confirm the theoretical direction according to which the type of primary substance could be an object choice consistent with introjected parental representations.

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