Using Projective Drawing Test to Evaluate the Anxiety Symptom

Kan CHEN Song Bin

Journal of Psychological Science ›› 2011, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (6) : 1512-1515.

Journal of Psychological Science ›› 2011, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (6) : 1512-1515.

Using Projective Drawing Test to Evaluate the Anxiety Symptom

  • Kan CHENSong Bin2, 3
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Abstract

Purpose:The purpose of the study is to test the possibility of using the projective drawing test to evaluate the anxiety. Methods: In this study, 290 subjects from the college were invited randomly to complete the HTP drawing test and Scl90 test of Anxiety subscale. A regression analysis was made. The anxiety level was first determined by comparing the individual’s Scl90 score of the subscale of Anxiety to the norm of the same age and gender. Those whose score were two deviations higher than the norm were diagnosed as Anxiety. Among all the 290 subjects, 36 of them meet the diagnosis criteria. The study also used the most popular Buck and Hammer’s House-Tree-Person projective drawing test to collect drawing characters. This test has the most culture equality, and has the most scientific evidence for its validity and reliability. The study has collected drawing characters that were assumed be representation of anxiety. Those drawing characters came from literature study, clinical experience, as well as Chinese symbolism. A standard projective drawing evaluation handbook was then developed to describe those different drawing characters in a standard way. The final handbook involves 11 drawing characters in three categories, with a detailed description on every drawing character and picture samples. The three categories are: shade, detail, space. The study also invited two teachers from psychology department to evaluate all the drawings separately. Both of them had a few experience of using projective drawing test. And both of them had the same experience. Those assessors were trained at the same level to use the standard projective drawing evaluation handbook. Then a regression analysis was made to evaluate the validity of projective drawing test to anxiety symptom. Results: The result shows: within the 11 drawing characters, 5 of them could significantly predict the anxiety symptom. A logistic regression diagnosis equation was established based on those 5 drawing characters. The 5 characters entered the equation in the following sequence: 1) the heavy shade roof of the house, 2) the detailed roof, 3) long arms of the person,4) person drawing expanded to the whole paper, 5) the person had both hands hide behind the body. The other 6 drawing characters did not enter the equation. Those characters were: 1) the heavy shaded wall of the house, 2) the heavy shade of the body of the person, 3) the emphasis of the trunk of the person,4) tree drawing expanded to t

Key words

HTP drawing test / anxiety symptom / standard drawing test

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Kan CHEN Song Bin. Using Projective Drawing Test to Evaluate the Anxiety Symptom[J]. Journal of Psychological Science. 2011, 34(6): 1512-1515

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