Exploring the Psychological Impact of Acid Violence: A Case Study Using the Thematic Apperception Test

Abstract

Acid attacks represent one of the most brutal forms of violence, leaving survivors to tackle lifelong physical scars, psychological trauma, and social isolation. This study follows the case of a 28-year-old female acid attack survivor from Uttar Pradesh, India, using the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) to understand the psychological impact of her ordeal. Through her story, we see how the attack affected not just her face but her relationships, her place in society, and her sense of self. The study aimed to understand how survivors psychologically process such violence. The TAT, with its picture-based storytelling approach, helped uncover her unspoken emotions, how she saw herself and others, and how she coped when words failed her. Unlike standard questionnaires, this method captured the nuances of her experience—the shame, the resilience, the silent battles. What emerges is more than just data; it’s a human story that exposes the gaps in our support systems. Her case makes clear that survivors need more than medical treatment—they need mental health care that recognizes their unique trauma, and a society willing to look beyond their scars. The TAT’s value here goes beyond diagnosis—it gave voice to experiences that might otherwise stay hidden, showing why we need psychological tools that honour the complexity of human suffering.