Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

RORSCHACH COGNITIVE PROFILE OF RESILIENT YOUNG ADULTS

K.R.Santhosh, Ph.D. (Corresponding Author)
Head of Academics,
Arts and Social Sciences Division
Edutel Technologies (P) Ltd.,
Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
email: santhoshisme@gmail.com
Mobile: +91 9448417480

N.Annalakshmi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor,
Department of Psychology,
Bharathiar University,
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India - 641046
email: narayanan.annalakshmi@buc.edu.in
Mobile: +91 9787000864

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

RORSCHACH COGNITIVE PROFILE OF RESILIENT YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to prepare a cognitive profile of resilient young adults
based on Rorschach. The sample included 100 young adults (age group 18 to 23 years). The
instruments used were Bharathiar University Resilience Scale (Annalakshmi, 2009) and
Rorschach Ink Blot Test (Rorschach, 1921). Rorschach rating indices of problem solving and
creative thinking (both adopted from "Rorschach Interpretation" by Himelstein, 2003),
intelligence (adopted from "The Rorschach Rating Scale" by Meyer et al, 1999) and
sophisticated thinking (structured on the basis of "The Rorschach Rating Scale" by Meyer et al,
1999) were used as the measures of problem solving, creative thinking, intelligence and
sophisiticated thinking respectively. Correlation analysis indicated that all of these 4 Cognitive
Indices had relationship with resilience. Block-wise Multiple Regression analysis indicated that
Problem Solving index and creative thinking index could significantly predict resilience. Using
the qualitative explanations of the Rorschach variable combinations in the problem solving index
and creative thinking index a profile of young adults was delineated.
Key Words: Rorschach problem solving index, Rorschach creative thinking index, Rorschach
intelligence index, Rorschach sophisticated thinking index, resilience

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

RORSCHACH COGNITIVE PROFILE OF RESILIENT YOUNG ADULTS

Projective techniques function predominantly outside the conscious awareness and
involve the evaluation of mental representations of self and others (Conklin, Malone, & Fowler,
2012). Rorschach Ink Blot Test, a performance based task or behavioural assessment measure, is
a projective technique that is presumed to measure a broad range of personality, perceptual and
problem solving characteristics. The characteristics include thought organization, perceptual
accuracy and conventionality, self-image and understanding of others, psychological resources,
schemas, and dynamics (Meyer & Viglione, 2008). Perception of, and response manner to, the
ambiguous stimuli in Rorschach cards will be in terms of how individuals order and maintain
their idiosyncratic world (Willock, 1992).
Exner (2007), who developed the basic psychometric properties of standardization of
Rorschach, observed it as an objective measure. The attempt of Meyer et al (2011) to develop
Rorschach Performance Assessment System the normative foundation, integrated international
findings, reduced examiner variability, and increased utility of the test. Viglione et al (2012), in a
random sample of 50 Rorschach records, from ongoing research projects administered by 16
examiners in a diverse sample, found good to excellent inter-rater reliability in coding the
responses. The test, thus, is a valid and reliable measure that could be used to decipher the
cognitive underpinnings that play behind the adaptive responses and coping ability exhibited by
individuals.
While mentioning the adaptive responses and coping ability, probably, the prominent
concept that shines out for the past three decades, is resilience. Resilience is the power of the
individual to withstand risk and their potential negative consequences (Zimmerman and

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

Arunkumar, 1994; Annalakshmi, 2007). Studies regarding resilience have unraveled two
conditions that could contribute to resilience first, exposure to adversity, and second,
rebounding, through adaptation, into normalcy (Luthar, Cicchetti, & Becker, 2000).
Study conducted by Holaday and Terrell (1994), in which three raters classified 40
children and adolescents (aged 8 to 19 years) with severe burns, showed that Rorschach
protocols of resilient group contained more Cooperative Movement responses and had D scores
within the normal range, but of non-resilient group got lower Egocentricity Index scores and
higher Coping Deficit Index. No significance differences were seen in Texture, Diffuse Shading
and Passive-Active responses, Experience Actual and Z frequency. The longitudinal study, on
the information processing of 44 children who were subjected to sexual abuse using Rorschach
Ink Blot Test, by Barnett, Heinze and Arbie (2013), demonstrated that sexual content responses
in the follow up sessions indicated resilience. Study done by Donahue and Tuber (1993) in a
sample of 46 Black and Hispanic inner city, homeless children revealed that their resilience had a
link with their ability to produce fantasy images on Rorschach.
Resilience, being an important factor, with a scope in the field of both clinical
intervention and programs aiming prevention (Annalakshmi, 2009), needs more provisions to be
explored using Rorschach ink blot test. The magical power of resilience, which made Masten
(2001) to call it an ordinary magic, was literally proved in the study by Collishaw et al (2007).
The study addressed the extent of resilience to adult psychopathology in a representative
community sample, among which ten percent reported repeated or severe physical or sexual
abuse in childhood. Prospective measures revealed increased rates of adolescent psychiatric
disorders in this group. But a substantial minority of abused individuals reported high resilience,
as they had no mental health problems in adult life (Collishaw, Pickles, Messer, Rutter, Shearer,

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

& Maughan, 2007). This power to overcome, or to bounce back to normalcy, is there in each
individual. Hence it is an ordinary magic. But the power will work only as per the realization of
the protective factors within and around.
Different psychological processes underlie resilience across the lifespan (Gooding, Hurst,
Johnson, & Tarrier, 2012). The positive action strategies that build resiliency in any period of
life are called protective factors (Benard, 1991). Several clusters of protective factors have
emerged as recurrent themes that would help individuals overcome great odds (Werner, 1995;
Donald, Dower, Correa-Velez, & Jones, 2006). Young adults with stronger cognitive abilities
appear to be less affected by negative life events (Masten, 1999; Montgomery, et al., 2008).
According to Luthar (2003), intellectual capacity was a robust predictor of resilience. Higher g
was depicted, in various studies (Fergusson & Lynskey, 1996; Werner, 1995; Gottfredson,
2004), as a key foundation of resilience among the children who were born and brought up in
extremely deprived, neglectful, or abusive environments.
Kitano and Lewis (2005), however, asserted that high intelligence was not a requirement
for resilient outcomes. Still, cognitive ability appeared to be a supporting factor, especially as it
relates to problem solving and coping (Kitano & Lewis, 2005). Even, decision making skills, a
concept closely related to problem solving and creative thinking, can be a protective factor
(Brooks, 1994). In the opinion of Carson and Runco (1999) Problem solving and problem
generation abilities are important components of an individual's overall capacity to cope with the
stresses of life. Generating a problem, again, is a factor that has close relationship with the
creative thinking.

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

As per the findings of Ponce-Gracia, Madewell and Kennison (2014), hierarchic thinking
style (characterized by a preference to prioritize tasks) and the legislative thinking style
(characterized by a preference for tasks that require creative strategy) were the two creative
thinking styles those indicated strong relationship with resilience in young adults. Collins and
Smyer (2005) found out that psychological resilience had relationship with sophisticated set of
cognitive strategies. Resilient children from the families with domestic violence and parental
alcohol misuse are observed to develop a sophisticated understanding about what is going on
(Hill, Stafford, Seaman, Ross, & Daniel, 2007). More studies which relate resilience with
creative thinking styles and sophisticated thinking styles are lacking in literature.
The importance of cognitive factors in facilitating individuals to show resilience is
remarkable (Annalakshmi, 2008). Major cognitive factors acting behind resilience can be spotted
as problem solving, creative thinking, intelligence and sophisticated thinking. Resilient people
will use different problem solving strategies to verify the choices for dealing with the
inconveniences (Gordon, 1998; Rausch, Lovett & Walker, 2003). Resilient thinking allows them
to be flexible, to see that some problems are the result of themselves and their actions, while
others are not (Pearson and Hall, 2006). They were habituated with different levels of creativity
(Annalakshmi, 2008). They will have good reasoning ability, which can be influenced by the
environment (Gordon, 1998).
The present study was an attempt to prepare a cognitive profile of resilient young adults
based on Rorschach. Rating indices of problem solving and creative thinking (adopted from
"Rorschach Interpretation Work Sheet" by Himelstein, 2003), intelligence (adopted from "The
Rorschach Rating Scale" by Meyer et al, 1999) and sophisticated thinking (structured on the
basis of "The Rorschach Rating Scale" by Meyer et al, 1999) were used as the measure of the

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

cognitive factors, problem solving, creative thinking, intelligence and sophisiticated thinking
respectively.
OBJECTIVES
1. To find out if Rorschach Cognitive Indices are significantly related to resilience in young
adults
2. To find out if Rorschach cognitive indices include factors those can predict resilience in young
adults
3. To form a profile of the Resilient Young Adult based on the cognitive indices
METHOD
The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative approaches to meet the objectives.
To meet the objectives 1 and 2, quantitative analysis was done. To realize the objective 3,
qualitative analysis was done.
SAMPLE:
The sampling frame for the study consisted of 600 young adults who could be recruited
from the student population in two colleges situated at Trissur and Palakkad districts (Kerala
State, India) to which the investigator had adequate access and support for conducting the
investigation. The investigator recruited the sample of 110 (53 males and 57 females) subjects
who showed interest and who granted voluntary consent to participate in the investigation. The
characteristics of the subjects chosen for inclusion in the sample were young adults who had
potentiality to comprehend and provide reliable and valid responses to the instruments chosen for
this investigation. The age group of the sample ranged between 18 and 23 years. The subjects

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

were met by the investigator in small groups including not more than 20 individuals at a time and
briefed about the nature of the investigation and the level of cooperation expected from them.
Freedom was given to the subjects to stop the response and leave, whenever there was a feeling
of discomfort. Data were collected through individual sessions. Each participant was sincere
while taking the measures. There had been no drop outs. All those who gave the consent fully
co-operated with the process of data collection. From the total data collected, 10 (3 males and 7
females) had to be excluded due to numerous defects. Final analysis was performed with a
sample size of 100. All the subjects in the final data belonged to Mother Arts and Science
College (Affiliated to University of Calicut) at Thrissur District in the State of Kerala, India.
MEASURES:
BU Resilience Scale, developed by Annalakshmi (2009) consists of 30 Likert type items.
The scale purports to measure resilience with reference to seven domains including duration for
getting back to normalcy, reaction to negative events, response to risk factors (specifically,
disadvantaged environment) in life, perception of effect of past negative events, defining
problems, hope/confidence in coping with future and openness to experience and flexibility. The
scale has adequate reliability (reliability coefficient of Spearman Brown, 0.84; Guttman, 0.84;
and Cronbach alpha, 0.86) as found on a sample of 577 post-graduate students. The scale was
validated against Friborgs Resilience Scale for Adults (r = 0.401) and Bells Adjustment
Inventory (r = -0.392). The reliability of BU Resilience Scale, in the present sample, was
analyzed using Chronbachs Alpha. The alpha reliability for the items in BU Resilience Scale
was 0.89

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

The scoring process for the BU Resilience Scale begins with the individual responding to
each of the 30 items by selecting one of the following five choices: Most appropriate,
Appropriate, Moderately appropriate, Marginally appropriate and not at all appropriate with
point values ranging from 1-5 respectively. Thirteen of the items have reversed scoring.
Resilience scores are calculated by adding the responses to each item included in the scale.
Higher scores indicate higher resiliency and lower scores indicate lower resiliency.
Rorschach Ink Blot Test was administered in the sample on the basis of the guidelines
provided in Exners (2003) Comprehensive System for standardized administration and scoring.
The protocols were scored by the investigator, who had been trained for the same. All the
protocol, considered for the study, had adequate number of responses (R > 14). The derived
scores were summarized in the Structural Summary sheet. In order to get a total score cognitive
factors problem solving, creative thinking, intelligence and sophisticated thinking indices
structured clustering the Rorschach variable combinations was used.

Indices for Problem

Solving and Creative Thinking were adopted from "Rorschach Interpretation Work Sheet" by
Himelstein (2003). Index for intelligence was adopted from "The Rorschach Rating Scale" by
Meyer et al, (1999) and index for sophisticated thinking was structured on the basis of "The
Rorschach Rating Scale" by Meyer et al (1999). These four indices were obviously fit to be
considered as the measurement that could be used in the present study. The indices were the
operational tool to find out if certain clusters of Rorschach variables that is purported to denote a
common cognitive related entity has a relationship with the resilience scores of the subjects in
the sample. Higher the score in the index, greater is the probability of the presence of the
cognitive factor, which represent that index, in the respondent.

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

The index of problem solving (Table 1) was presumed to measure problem solving if the
items (Rorschach variable combinations) in it are present in a given Rorschach protocol.
Table 1: Index of problem solving
Rorschach Variable
Blends = 30% of R &
R > 24
EA > 8 & D Score >
0
D Score > 0
R < 18 & L > .85
W:M ratio > 3:1
EB = Extratensive/
Introversive

Zd > + 3.0
Zf > 14

Theory
The subject is flexible in coping with stressful circumstances
The subject has resources to consistently respond in some fashion to the
routine, day-to-day events of life
The coping strategies of the subject are not easily disrupted by stress
The subject is quite economical in his/her approach to tasks and rarely
becomes engrossed or emotionally caught up in activities
The subject strives to achieve goals that may exceed his/her abilities
The subject copes with problems either by using feelings and intuitions
to guide his/her decisions, judgments, and actions or by thinking about
circumstances and mentally evaluating possibilities before making
decisions or judgments
During problem solving, the subject tends to make a judgment or take
action only after thoroughly processing all relevant information
The subject becomes motivated and makes considerable efforts to
organize and synthesize relevant information when confronted with a
task

The index of creative thinking (Table 2) was presumed to measure creative thinking if the
items in it are present in a given Rorschach protocol.
Table 2: Index of creative thinking
Rorschach Variable
M+ > 1
Zf > 14
Zf > 14
Zd > +3.0
Zd > +3.0
Zd > +3.0
P < 5 with DQ+, F+%
> .71 and X+% > .7

Theory
The subject is skilled in conceptual thinking
The subject exerts an extensive degree, than required or expected, of
effort to process information
The subject has a high level of intellectual striving in which the
perceptions are worked out carefully and precisely
The subject can efficiently and accurately process information
The subject exerts more effort in information processing and is more
confident in the abilities
The subject takes care with his perceptions and continually checks for
accuracy
The subject is very unique creative person who tends to shun
conventionality

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

W>3

The subject is able to organize the components of his environment into

a meaningful concept

The index of intelligence (Table 3) was presumed to measure intelligence if the items in
it are present in a given Rorschach protocol.
Table 3: Index of intelligence
Rorschach Variable
Blends >30% of R
R >17
W >3
D+ > 0
Zf > 14
Zf > 14
Zd > +3.0
Zd > +3.0
Zd > +3.0
F+% > .71

Theory
The subject has higher levels of intelligence
The subject has no intellectual limitations
The subject is able to organize the components of the environment into
a meaningful concept
The subject is more concerned with ore practical, concrete interest,
often at the expense of his full intellectual potential
The subject exerts effort to process information more extensively than
required or expected
The subject has a high level of intellectual striving in which the
perceptions are worked out carefully and precisely
The subject can efficiently and accurately process information
The subject exerts more effort in information processing and is more
confident in the abilities
The subject takes care with his perceptions and continually checks for
accuracy
The subject has an average intellectual functioning

The index of sophisticated thinking (Table 4) was presumed to measure sophisticated

thinking, if the items in it are present in a given Rorschach protocol.
Table 4: Index of sophisticated thinking
Rorschach Variable
EGI >.34 & <.43
H: (H) + Hd + (Hd) ratio
> 3:2
DQv + DQv/+ = 0
Lambda < .35 & Blends
30% of R
EB: Ambitent/
introversive

Theory
The subject has a healthy and positive sense of self-confidence
The subject holds beliefs about the self based on past experiences
and relationships
The subject indicates maturity in cognitive processes
The subject can recognize many of the subtleties and nuances that
characterize his/her feelings and motives
The subject either allows feelings and logical thought to be
integrated into his/her decisions and actions or copes with problems

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

EB: introversive
a:p ratio: imbalanced;
a+p > 4 and [a>2p or p >
2a]); PSV >0

by thinking about circumstances and mentally evaluating possibilities

before making decisions or judgments
The feelings of the subject do not have an impact on decisions and
judgments
The subject has no uncertainty in interaction or problem-solving style
or consistency

Factors thus indexed, are quantified with code 0 for the absence of the given Rorschach
variable combination and with code 1 for the presence of the given Rorschach variable
combination in a protocol. Total of these numerical codes in an index would provide the
measurement of the cognitive factor.
INTER-RATER AGREEMENT OF RORSCHACH INDICES:
In order to confirm the reliability of the scoring, inter-rater agreement is analyzed using
interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), a chance-corrected reliability coefficient suitable for
continuous data and equivalent to kappa under appropriate conditions (Meyer et al, 2002). For
this purpose the Rorschach protocols obtained from the sample were independently scored by the
investigator, as well as by a qualified clinical psychologist working as Senior Lecturer in the
department of psychology, Prajoti Niketan College, Puthukad, Thrissur District in Kerala State,
India. Table 5 summarizes the results of the inter-rater reliability test
Table 5: Inter-rater agreement of Rorschach Indices
Index
Intelligence Index
Problem Solving Index
Creative Thinking Index
Sophisticated Thinking Index
**Significant at 0.01 level

ICC Value
0.72**
0.60**
0.71**
0.65**

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

A highly significant inter-rater agreement was found in the intelligence index (r = 0.72, p
< 0.01), problem solving index (r = 0.60, p < 0.01), creative thinking index (r = 0.71, p < 0.01)
and sophisticated thinking index (r = 0.65, p < 0.01).
RESULTS
Relationship between Rorschach cognitive indices and resilience
To find out if Rorschach Cognitive Indices have a significant relationship with resilience
in young adults, correlation analysis was used. Results of the analysis suggested that all these
four factors have a significant relationship with resilience. Table 6 summarizes the results.
Table 6: Correlation analysis relationship of resilience with different Rorschach cognitive
indices
Dependent Variable

Problem Solving Creative Thinking Intelligence

Index
Index
Index
Resilience
0.394**
0.439**
0.320**
**Significant at 0.01 level, * Significant at 0.05 level

Sophisticated Thinking
Index
0.199*

Problem solving (Table 6) was found to have a positive relationship (r = 0.394, p < 0.01)
with resilience. Creative thinking established a substantial positive correlation (r = 0.439, p <
0.01) with resilience. Intelligence showed a low positive correlation (r = 0.320, p < 0.01) with
resilience. Sophisticated thinking also indicated a negligible positive correlation (r = 0.199, p <
0.01) with resilience.
Rorschach cognitive indices that can predict resilience
To find out if Rorschach Cognitive Indices have a predictable relationship with
resilience, hierarchical regression was administered. Table 7 summarizes the results of the same.

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

Table 7: Hierarchical regression Predictable relationship between Rorschach cognitive indices

and resilience
Model
1
2

Predictors
Intelligence
Intelligence
Problem Solving
3
Intelligence
Problem Solving
Sophisticated Thinking
4
Intelligence
Problem Solving
Sophisticated Thinking
Creative Thinking
** p<.01; *p<.05

0.32
0.13
0.32
0.13
0.29
0.60
-0.01
0.24
0.06
0.34

t
3.34**
1.16
2.74**
1.15
2.41*
0.59
-0.09
2.04*
0.65
3.22**

Step F
11.18**
9.70**

r2
0.102
0.167

r2
0.093
0.150

6.54**

0.170

0.144

7.97**

0.251

0.220

In block 1 (r2 = 0.102, Step F = 11.18, p < 0.01), Intelligence index appeared to be a
significant predictor (= 0.32, t = 3.34, p < 0.01) of resilience (Table 7). But, it lost its
significance in block 2 (r2 = 0.167, Step F = 9.70, p < 0.01) with the introduction of problem
solving index. Problem solving index was indicated to be the significant predictor (= 0.32, t =
3.34, p < 0.01) in block. Hence problem solving index may be mediating the relationship
between intelligence index and resilience. In block 3 (r2 = 0.251, Step F = 6.54, p < 0.01),
sophisticated thinking index was introduced.

But sophisticated index did not indicate a

significance relationship with resilience. In the block problem solving was again identified as the
significant predictor (= 0.29, t = 2.41, p < 0.05). In block 4 (r2 = 0.102, step F = 7.97, p < 0.01),
Creative Thinking (= 0.34, t = 3.22, p < 0.01) and Problem Solving (= 0.24, t = 2.04, p = 0.05)
indicated a significant relationship
Rorschach cognitive profile of the resilient young adults
All the variable combinations Problem Solving Index and Creative Thinking Index share
the qualitative explanations which concentrate on the problem solving ability of the responder.

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

Depending on the qualitative indications attached to each factor in the indices, the following
profile was structured.
Resilient young adults will be flexible in coping with stressful circumstances. They will
have resources to consistently respond in some fashion to the routine, day-to-day events of life.
The coping strategies of the resilient young adults will not be easily disrupted by stress. They
will be quite economical in their approach to tasks and will rarely become engrossed or
emotionally caught up in activities. They will strive to achieve goals that may exceed their
abilities. They will cope with problems either by using feelings and intuitions to guide their
decisions, judgments, and actions or by thinking about circumstances and mentally evaluating
possibilities before making decisions or judgments. During problem solving, they will make a
judgment of take action only after thoroughly processing all relevant information. They will be
motivated and will make considerable efforts to organize and synthesize relevant information
when confronted with a task.
Resilient young adults will be skilled in conceptual thinking.

They will exert an

extensive degree than required or expected of effort to process information. Resilient individuals
will have a high level of intellectual striving in which the perceptions are worked out carefully
and precisely. They can efficiently and accurately process information. They will exert more
effort in information processing and will be more confident in the abilities. They will take care
with their perceptions and will continually checks for accuracy. They will be very unique
creative individuals who will tend to shun conventionality. They will be able to organize the
components of their environment into a meaningful concept.
DISCUSSION

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

Problem solving index indicated a positive correlation with resilience (Table 6). The
index also showed a predictable relationship with resilience (Table 7). Comparing the Rorschach
variables included in the index with the reports of Brand, Armstrong and Loewenstein (2006),
certain assumptions can be made. High blends and high R in a person can be the indicators of
less influence of trauma on an individual, and therefore, of resilience. According to the findings
of Gormally (2008), EA = 14.5 is a variable that shows Resilience, which allows individuals, to
battle depression. In the present study, EA > 8 is the variable included in problem solving index.
According to Holaday & Terrel (1994), resilient group were more likely to have D scores within
the normal range (p = 0.0700) and it cannot be less than 0. In the problem solving index, D
Score is mentioned to be greater than zero for the resilient young adults.
EB styles had been mentioned to be the protective factor indicator by Weiner (2003).
According to Weiner (2003), persons with a clearly defined introversive or extratensive EB style
are typically capable of modifying their behavior as circumstances change. Modification of the
behaviour as per the circumstances is a kind of adaptation, and shall be considered as a
synonymous explanation of resilience. Introversive/extratensive EB style individuals are capable
of making decisions by contemplating alternative possibilities in a deliberate manner. They may
also allow their actions to be guided by how they feel rather than what they think (Weiner,
2003). For extratensive individuals, problem solving will be action oriented rather than
contemplative. Such an EB style has implications for good adjustment (again indicates about the
ability to cope and being resilient).
Problem solving, which involves communication, co-operation and immediate feedback
(Masten and Coatsworth, 1998), is the ability that has been identified as a protective factor, in
various studies (Cutuli and Masten, 2009, Krovetz, 2008, Benard, 1991). Resilient people will

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

use different problem solving strategies to verify the choices to overcome the challanges
(Gordon, 1998; Rausch, Lovett & Walker, 2003). In the demonstration of resilience by street
children who had met continuous life crisis, problem solving was known to have a major role
(Benard, 1991). Contemplation on situations before acting (Kennard, 2004), well developed
impulse control (Kennard, 2004), humour (Steyn, 2006), altruism (Steyn, 2006) etc. are other
recognized problem solving strategies.
Creative thinking index showed a substantial positive correlation with resilience (Table
6). In hierarchical regression analysis (Table 7), creative thinking was entered in the final block.
And the index showed the statistical capacity to be a significant predictor of resilience.
Literature lacks studies associating Rorschach variable combinations, used in Creative Thinking
Index, with resilience.

According to Pearson and Hall (2006), creative thinking allows

individuals to be resilient, by helping them see that problems are something that emerged out of
themselves and their own actions and if worked on it, can be converted into advantages. Ways of
imagination in creative thinking people would allow them to improvise problems to solutions
(Malcom, 2007). They will be able to express their imagination and feelings creatively, to the
outer world (Benard, 2004).
Intelligence index showed a low positive correlation with resilience. While referring the
hierarchical regression analysis, the relationship of intelligence index as a predictor of resilience,
in block 1, was evident. But with the entry of problem solving index, intelligence index lost its
predictive power. Hence, the investigator assumes intelligence index to have a role of mediation
in the relationship between problem solving index and resilience. Some of the factors in the
cluster referring intelligence index might be mediating between the clusters in the problem
solving index and resilience score.

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

In literature, discussions regarding the relationship of intelligence with resilience had

been controversial.

According to Small and Memmo (2002), intelligence was exceptional

personal characteristics that can contribute to resilience. Newman (2002) has suggested after
Gilligan that high IQ is a protective factor even in high poverty. Berman (2007) and Kim-Kohen
et al (2004) had supportive findings in their studies. According to Friborg et al (2005),
Knowledge, self help skill and coping ability in the intelligent people shall be the factors that
help the resilient people while facing stress. Resilient individuals need only a normal level of
intelligence (Gordon, 1998).
Sophisticated thinking index also showed a correlation with resilience.

But, in

hierarchical regression analysis, the relationship was not shown. It was Collins and Smyer
(2005) who noted that psychological resilience is related to a sophisticated set of cognitive
strategies. Hill et al (2007) has also brought to notice that resilient children from the families
with domestic violence and parental alcohol misuse are observed to develop a sophisticated
understanding about what is going on. The results might me pointing out to re-structure the
sophisticated thinking index with more valid Rorschach variable combinations. The variable
combinations might not be successfully defining the construct of Sophisticated Thinking.
The lack of relationship may be taken as a hint that the index had not been sufficient to
measure the factor that was meant to be.

The index of sophisticated thinking was not a

previously structured one. It was structured by the present investigator selecting the Rorschach
variable combinations that had qualitative explanations related to sophisticated thinking. They
are brought together as clusters just considering the face validity of these qualitative
explanations.

Published in Journal of Contemporary Psychological Research, 3 (1), 2016, ISSN 2349-5642

REFERENCES
Annalakshmi, N. (2009). Bharathiar University Resilience Scale. (H. Purohit, & A. Wagh, Eds.) New
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