Evaluation of the relationship with the early-stage caregiver with projective tests in obese women

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship of obese women with the caregiving object in early life through projective methods. As a result of the study, it is expected to reach data on the caregiving object image whom obese participants have and its effect on the psyche of these patients. Sample of the study consists of 10 obese (30 ≤ BMI < 40) and 10 normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI ≤ 24.9) women with no psychiatric diagnosis, aged between 25-45, who applied to a special healthy nutrition and counseling center in Istanbul. A psychoanalyses-oriented pre-interview, sociodemographic data form, Rorschach and Thematic Apperception Test were applied to the volunteer participants. The data obtained from the Rorschach and Thematic Apperception Test were evaluated with content analysis method adhering to the French School. When the content analysis findings were examined, it was observed that obese participants had difficulty in separating from the caregiving object, object loss and separation anxiety, problems related to the capacity to be alone, and difficulty in coping with the depressive state. In the obese group, the image of the caregiving object is perceived as omnipotent and intrusive, and the intensity of oral investments attracts attention.