Absorption and the Helping Professions: Examining Personality-Related Characteristics of the Trait of Absorption with the Rorschach Performance Assessment System

The present study sought to examine the personality-related characteristics associated with the trait of absorption, using the Rorschach Inkblot Test under the Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS) guidelines. The trait of absorption has been linked in research to vicarious trauma, indicating that individuals high in the trait of absorption who are employed in the helping professions may be more susceptible to developing vicarious trauma. Due to the considerable impact vicarious trauma has on helping professionals, their families, and their work, it is imperative to better understand characteristics and traits associated with increased risk, such as absorption. This study used a quasi-experimental, multivariate design to identify the relationships between a variety of specified Rorschach variables and groups of individuals high and low in the trait of absorption. The relationship between high and low absorption scores and R-PAS variables was examined by creating two mean profiles of scores, one for high and one for low absorption participants. These profiles were compared to examine between-group differences. Two primary hypotheses were offered. First, the Rorschach profiles for high and low absorption individuals would show specific elevations and depressions in Rorschach variables, indicating distinct personality-related characteristics associated with the two groups. Second, these elevations and depressions could be used to create a mean profile for individuals high in absorption that was significantly different from the mean profile of individuals low in the trait of absorption. These hypotheses were supported. Results of the data analysis also revealed a variety of secondary hypotheses that were supported, in addition to several unexpected significant relationships between R-PAS variables and the high and low absorption groups. An interpretive summary was created of personality-related characteristics that were found to be uniquely associated with individuals high in the trait of absorption. Based on these findings, recommendations were provided for training high absorption graduate students in helping professions.