The Draw-A-Person Test and Body Image
Abstract
The Draw-A-Person (DAP) test has been the center of a long-lasting debate regarding its validity. This study investigated the DAP indices of height, width (size), and inclusion/omission of details and their relation to body image as measured by a self-report scale (Gray’s body image scale) and manifested by the diet behaviors and body mass index of 55 healthy female students. Although the drawings of the diet group were smaller, there was no significant relationship between figure size and diet behaviors. However, body image as measured by a self-report scale did result in significant differences between groups. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between the size of the figure drawn and body image as measured by a self-report scale (larger figures correlated with better body image). No significant results were found for the omission/inclusion indices of the DAP. These results are discussed in light of previous findings regarding the DAP.
Introduction
The Draw-A-Person (DAP) test has recently been at the center of a dispute among clinicians and researchers. For quite a while it was a very popular and well-accepted test, especially because of its simplicity of administration (Handler, 1996; Handler, Campbell, & Martin, 2004). However, the lack of sufficiently strong empirical evidence diminished its use as a valid and accepted measure (Joiner, Schmidt, & Barnett, 1996; Roback, 1968; Swensen, 1957, 1968; Thomas, Jones, & Ross, 1968). This fact may have contributed to the growing decline of research interest in the test; however, in recent years a renewed interest has been noted (Arteche, Bandeira, & Hutz, 2010; Guez, Lev-Wiesel, Valetsky, Kruszewski-Sztul, & Pener, 2010; Handler et al., 2004).
This revival could be attributed to the fact that although there is a growing use of self-report measures in assessment and therapy, projective tests, such as the DAP, are thought to provide other aspects of data that are also important. Self-report tests are explicit tests that give us insight into the way the person perceives themselves consciously. Projective tests are implicit tests that provide us with knowledge of the person’s unconscious perception of themselves, and therefore reflect a less-controlled perception of the self and of behaviors (McClelland, Koestner, & Weinberger, 1989).
One of the areas that was studied by using the DAP was body image. The current study deals with the connection between body image as measured by the DAP, another self-report tool (Gray’s body image scale), body mass index (BMI), and dieting behaviors.
Body Image, Dieting, and BMI Among Women
Body image includes several components that refer to: people’s ability to accurately perceive their body shape and size (perceptual component); the ability to estimate their size (evaluative component); the extent to which these perceptions cause concern or stress (affective component); the extent to which one’s shape or weight affects self-esteem (cognitive component; Cash, 2002; Cash, Melnyk, & Hrabosky, 2002).
Most of the research regarding body image has investigated the potential factors relating to body dissatisfaction, which refers to the subjective evaluation of one’s shape or size. Several factors have been associated with such discontent, especially those relating to size, shape, or weight. It has been found that overoccupation with one’s body image, which is influenced by mass media, family, and peers, has been linked to the etiology of body image disturbances and could influence one’s cognitive and emotional reactions to one’s body (McCabe, Ricciardelli, Sitaram, & Mikhail, 2006).
One’s body image is influenced by many factors and is more complex than a simple comparison between an ideal and real body weight. Despite that, weight satisfaction is a key component in forming body image (Friestad & Rise, 2004) and remains an important issue, especially among women. It is more likely that women will fail to keep up with the ideal of thinness that is portrayed by the media, will be more likely to suffer from negative criticism toward their bodies in comparison with men, and are more likely to be discriminated against when overweight (Brownell, 1991; Murray, Touyz, & Beumont, 1995; Wadden & Stunkard, 1985).
Therefore, it is not surprising that women are more inclined than men to be dissatisfied with their bodies, and more likely to participate in diet-related behaviors (Markey, Markey, & Birch, 2001). Body discontent among women is often related to “normative discontent” (Rodin, Silberstein, & Striegel-Moore, 1985) and dieting is a typical reaction to this dissatisfaction. These concerns regarding body weight do not subside and even seem to intensify with time (Smolak & Levine, 2001).
Women who are discontent with their bodies and are unnecessarily worried about their weight are vulnerable to unhealthy diet-related behaviors, such as fasting, overeating, and purging (Goodrick, Poston, & Foreyt, 1996; Kostanski & Gullone, 1999; Stice & Agras, 1998), which have been linked to several eating disorders (Patton, Johnson-Sabine, Wood, Mann, & Wakeling, 1990). Therefore, the search for valid and easily administered routine tools for assessing body image is of great importance.
The Draw-a-Person Test
The DAP was first designed by Machover (1949), after discovering that the Draw-a-Man test (Goodenough, 1926) reflected several personality issues alongside reflecting intelligence – the test’s original purpose. The DAP was built as a projective test; this projection is not conscious or direct but rather symbolic or indirect in some manner. In other words, people do not draw themselves; they draw what they see themselves to be, or the way they wish to be (Handler, 1996).
The body image hypothesis, which assumes that the same-sex drawing is related to the individual’s inner body perception, is one of the basic assumptions of human figure drawings (Kahill, 1984). According to Machover (1949), the figure drawn by individuals is intimately linked to their urges, anxieties, conflicts, and compensations. In a way, the figure drawn is the individual and the paper is the environment (Kahill, 1984). Accordingly, the body image projected onto the paper may reflect deep and unconscious wishes, a physical or psychological flaw, a conscious or unconscious compensation for that flaw, or a combination of all of these elements. Moreover, at times there is an attempt to draw an ideal self rather than a true self (Handler, 1996).
The empirical evidence regarding the body image hypothesis is mixed, as there are more findings that do not support the hypothesis than evidence that does (Kahill, 1984). It has been found that overweight students drew larger figures than normal or underweight students (Bailey, Shinedling, & Payne, 1970). On the other hand, no connection was found between height, weight, or width and figure drawings among medical students (Thomas et al., 1968).
There has been dispute surrounding the validity of figure drawing, since both negative and positive findings have been reported. On the one hand, Joiner et al. (1996) have stated that the DAP’s validity findings during 50 years have been less than impressive. On the other hand, studies have found the DAP to be a valid test, especially regarding abnormality and change during psychotherapy (Leibowitz, 1999).
Recent research has found that certain DAP measures (specifically emphasizing the mouth or thickening of bodily parts such as the thigh area) can distinguish between women suffering from eating disorders and a control group. Moreover, the drawing size was found to be a distinguishing characteristic between anorexic patients (small drawing) and bulimic patients (large drawing; Guez et al., 2010).
The current research focuses on two basic structure variables in an attempt to study their validity:
- 1.Size: Typically, the size of the drawing reflects the individual’s self-esteem. A person who feels incompetent may draw a very small figure but on the other hand, another may draw a very large figure in order to compensate for or mask emotions. Other possible interpretations for figure size involve self-confidence – large figures represent grandiose feelings while small ones represent inferiority (Handler, 1996). Moreover, both excessive figure enlargement and figure diminution may represent anxiety (Handler & Reyher, 1965).
- Some researchers have argued that since figure size may be interpreted in so many different ways, it cannot serve as a self-esteem indicator as suggested by Machover (1949). In addition, researchers have reported that no systematic correlation was found between figure drawing variables and level of self-esteem (Groth-Marnat & Roberts, 1998). Even so, there is good reason to assume that very large or very small drawings indicate a certain adjustment problem or concern related to one’s tendency to compare oneself with others (Weiner & Greene, 2008).
- 2.Omission/inclusion of details: Lack of detail may indicate lack of energy, in response to stress or depression. Omission of details may also indicate abnormality or deficit in sense of self, as the omitted body parts may point to the origin of a certain concern. Overinclusion of details is mostly seen among obsessive–compulsive individuals or as a result of severe stress (Handler, 1996). However, only few indicators were found valid for diagnosis, and no single indicator, such as omission of a certain detail, can conclusively indicate a body image disturbance, just as such a disturbance does not express itself through one particular indicator (Handler, 1996). Therefore, this criterion was treated as dichotomous.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the DAP validity regarding body image variables as manifested in diet behaviors, real physical proportions (BMI), and another body image assessment tool – Gray’s body image scale (1977).
Based on previous research regarding DAP signs and body image (Handler & Reyher, 1965; Handler, 1996; Weiner & Greene, 2008), the study’s first hypothesis was that engagement in diet behaviors in the past or in the present would be manifested in a difference in two major signs of the DAP, the body image scale and the BMI when compared with no-diet history:
- 1.The height, width, and overall size (height × width) of the figures drawn will significantly differ between the diet and nondiet groups. Following the inconclusive evidence concerning size, no direction of difference was hypothesized.
- 2.The diet group will be different from the nondiet group with regard to either omission of key elements of the figure or inclusion of excessive elements. Following the inconclusive evidence concerning omission/inclusion, no direction of difference was hypothesized.
- 3.The diet group will score lower than the nondiet group with regard to body image as measured by Gray’s body image scale (1977) and will have a higher BMI.
The second hypothesis was that there would be a correlation between DAP body image variables (height, weight, size, omission, and inclusion) and body image as measured by Gray’s body image scale (1977) and the subjects’ physical figures as measured by the BMI.
Method
Participants
A sample of 60 female students from Tel-Aviv-Yaffo Academic College were recruited for this study. They were divided into two groups: one that reported engaging in diet behavior in the past or in the present and a second that reported no diet behaviors at all. The students were all first-year psychology majors who participated in the study as part of their curriculum. The study was approved by the college’s ethics review board. Consent was given after revealing the study’s general agenda, which was portrayed as studying the relation between BMI and body image.
Measures
Demographic Questionnaire
The demographic questionnaire included questions regarding gender, age, marital status, body weight (kg), height (cm), general health, and dieting.
Body Mass Index
BMI was calculated by dividing every participant’s weight in kilograms by the square of her height in meters (kg/m2).
Modified Gray’s Questionnaire (1977), Body Image Scale
The original scale (Gray, 1977) was devised to measure emotions toward one’s body that were related to overweight and underweight individuals. This scale was validated through back-translation by Palgi (1995), was revised in order to measure body image in general, and was successfully administered among normal populations (Orbach et al., 1996). The scale includes 12 Likert-scale items (1 to 5) regarding emotions toward the body as a whole. The items included statements such as, “When I look at my body I feel bad,” or “I’m embarrassed when others say I look good,” etc. (Palgi, 1995). The score is calculated by summing all responses (ranging from 1 to 5 for each statement) to a total sum (after reversing items 1, 2, 7). The higher the score, the more positive the body image. The final score indicates the strength of the negative or positive emotion related to one’s body image: To what extent does one accept one’s body and feel at peace with one’s appearance, or reject’s one’s body and feels bad with one’s appearance?
Cronbach’s α for the Hebrew version was found to be .82–.92 (Besser, Amir, & Barkan, 2004; Moin, Duvdevany, & Mazor, 2009; Orbach et al., 1996; Palgi, 1995). Cronbach’s α for the current study was .88.
Draw-a-Person Test
As mentioned, empirical evidence regarding the validity and reliability of the DAP is controversial, especially that regarding body image indicators. However, Kahill (1984) provides reasonable data for the figure drawings. Most reliability correlations are over .8, and over three quarters of coefficients are over .7. These findings are relevant for content, structure, and global measures.
In addition, interrater reliability for the figure height/size indices was found to be between .62 and .99 (Adler, 1970; Attkisson, Waidler, Jeffrey, & Lambert, 1974; Bailey et al., 1970; Baugh & Prytula, 1974; Bolton, 1972; Bolton, Donoghue, & Langbauer, 1973; Kay, 1978) and interrater reliability for omission/inclusion indices was found to be between .52 and .98 (Adler, 1971; Attkisson et al., 1974; Baugh & Prytula, 1974; Maloney & Glasser, 1982; McLachlan & Head, 1974).
In the current research, all drawings were coded for height, width, omission, and inclusion by the second author (Y.B.C). Half of the drawings were coded by the first author (J.E.H). The coders were uninformed of any participant information. Interrater reliability for figure dimensions using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC, two-way random effects) were: height = .90; width = .91; omission = .85; inclusion= .88.
Procedure
All students were recruited for the study through the Tel-Aviv-Yaffo College research system, which enabled students to volunteer for a variety of research studies. Each week for over 2 months, a research group opened and offered participation to between ten and 15 female students. Each participant received a questionnaire including demographic information, Gray’s body image scale, and a request to draw a human figure of each gender.
Data Analyses
For the purpose of analyzing the figure drawings, only female figures were examined. Drawings that failed to distinguish between male and female were excluded (n = 5). Each drawing provided data regarding the figure’s height and width. These data were used to form a new figure indicator:
Figure size = figure height (cm) * figure width (cm)
In addition, each figure drawing was examined to determine whether omission or inclusion of items occurred, and was given the score 1 (yes) or 0 (no). In order to determine such omission or inclusion of figure details, Handler’s (1996) definition of a typical drawing was used: head, face (eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and hair), legs, feet, arms, fingers, neck, shoulders, torso, and some sort of clothing (dress, skirt, trousers, shirt, coat).
Standard descriptive statistics (e.g., mean, standard deviation, and range) were used to summarize the variables. The distributions of the personality variables were checked for severe deviations from normality. No skewed distributions were found. Analyses of demographic variables were conducted using t tests and χ2 tests. Analyses of the research hypothesis were conducted using MANOVAs and ANOVA as well as post hoc analysis and χ2 tests.
Results
The study included 55 women (after excluding five questionnaires), aged 20–27 years (M = 23.73, SD = 1.28). All women were single, except for one married and five living with a partner. All had no children. The women’s height ranged from 1.52 m to 1.80 m (M = 1.65, SD = 0.06), and weight ranged from 45 kg to 85 kg (M = 57.62, SD = 9.22). In all, 27 women (49.1%) reported dieting in the past, 14 women (25.5%) reported dieting in the present (13 of whom reported dieting both in the past and present), 27 women (29.1%) reported never dieting. All women reported no significant health or psychological problems.
Preliminary Analysis
In order to exclude possible covariates, a preliminary analysis was conducted and no significant correlations were found between demographic characteristics and BMI, body image, or drawing indicators, except for a predicted positive correlation between weight and BMI (r = .902, p < .001).
Hypothesis 1
In order to detect the influence of engaging in diet behaviors in the past or present on several variables, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted. Results indicated a significant main effect for dieting (F(7, 47) = 2.552, p < .05, η2 = .275). Further analysis detected significant differences between dieting and nondieting women regarding BMI scores and body image scores. Women who never engaged in dieting behaviors had significantly lower BMI scores and higher body image scores in comparison with women who engaged in such behaviors in the past or present (see Table 1 ). No significant differences were found for figure height, figure width, or figure size. Nonetheless, a clear trend can be detected in the results, as past or present dieters consistently drew shorter, narrower, and overall smaller figures compared with nondieters (see Table 1).
A total of 23 subjects (41.8%) omitted at least one basic detail (in most cases only one detail) from the drawing, and nine subjects (16.3%) included at least one more detail (in most cases only one detail) in the drawing. Since omission, inclusion, and diet behaviors are all dichotomous variables, a χ2 test was conducted to determine whether diet behaviors are correlated with either omission or inclusion of details in figure drawings. Test results showed no such correlation for omission (p = .35, RC = 0.126, x2(1) = 873.) or inclusion (p = .76, RC = 0.041, x2(1) = 093.).
Hypothesis 2
In order to detect correlations between DAP body image indicators and body image, as measured by Gray’s body image scale, a Pearson correlation test was conducted combining the diet and nondiet groups. As hypothesized, a significant positive correlation was found between the figure’s height, width, and size and the participant’s body image scale scores (see Table 2 ). In other words, the higher the body image score, the higher, wider, and bigger the figure drawn. However, there were no significant correlations between omission or inclusion of details and the body image score (see Table 2). In addition, no significant correlations were found between the DAP body image indices and the subject’s physical characters, as measured by the BMI.
Discussion
Although the DAP has been used for a long time (Joiner et al., 1996; Lubin, Wallis & Paine, 1971; Wade & Baker, 1977) and is probably still one of the most widely used assessment measures, its validity has been at the center of debate (Groth-Marnat & Roberts, 1998; Handler, 1996; Handler et al., 2004; Joiner et al., 1996; Roback, 1968; Swensen 1957, 1968). There are findings that support the use of the test but also negative findings that challenge its validity.
The fact that for most of the time the DAP was used with scoring methods that are not reliable enough did not help its declining status when tested in the modern evidence-based world of therapy and assessment.
Despite this grim status, in the past few years there has been a growing interest in the DAP and new evidence regarding its validity in specific areas has appeared (Arteche et al., 2010; Guez et al., 2010; Leibowitz, 1999; Weiner & Greene, 2008). The current study stands in line with this emerging evidence.
Although no significant correlations were found between diet behaviors and the DAP indices chosen for this research, the diet group did produce smaller drawings than the nondiet group in both height and width dimensions. While no significant effect was found for the DAP, body image as assessed by Gray’s body image questionnaire (1977) and BMI differed significantly between the two diet groups.
The lack of significant difference in the drawings regarding diet behaviors could be attributed to the nature of the DAP and the fact that the figure drawn by each participant may represent a different aspect of her body image. These inconclusive findings concur with Hammer’s (1959) claim that projection of one’s self cannot be narrowly defined but must include the true self, ideal self, feared self, and perceptions of significant others. If so, the concept of body image projection is complex, and some of the mixed findings are due to difficulty in identifying each separate aspect (Kahill, 1984).
Although the DAP indices chosen for this research did not significantly predict diet behaviors as markers of impaired body image, there was a significant correlation between size measures of the drawing and body image as assessed by the body image questionnaire (Gray, 1977), meaning that positive body image correlated with higher and wider figure drawings. No significant correlation was found between DAP figure measures and actual BMI. Thus, although the DAP indices were not significantly correlated to diet behaviors or to actual proportions (BMI), they do appear to be measuring body image. As mentioned before, although body image is related to real proportions, it is not the only factor determining it (Friestad & Rise, 2004), thus explaining the correlation between the size of figures and body image as measured by the self-report scale but not by diet behaviors or BMI.
No correlation was found between omission/inclusion of figure details and diet behaviors, BMI, or body image as assessed by Gray’s body image scale (1977). In this research these indicators were not found as valid indicators of body image. It should be noted that in our research only a small proportion of the sample omitted or included extra figure details. This finding should be tested in a pathological population where there may be more cases of omission or inclusion and therefore a possible connection to other indicators of impaired body image. Moreover, since the omission/inclusion criterion was a dichotomous one, further research may be relevant for specific omissions or inclusions, as has been studied in the past (Weiner & Greene, 2008). It should also be noted that this finding relates to body image only and not to other possible interpretations of omission/inclusion of figure details.
This evidence stands in line with the findings connecting certain DAP indices with body image and establishes the validity of the DAP test in this area (Bailey et al., 1970; Gottesfeld, 1962; Guez et al., 2010; Handler, 1996), therefore demonstrating its possible usefulness.
Although the body image as assessed by questionnaire led to better results and significantly predicted diet behaviors, the DAP has other very important qualities. The DAP is an easily administrated test that can be used in various situations and can yield a broad spectrum of information regarding self-image but also other information on emotional state, anxiety etc. (Lehner & Gunderson, 1953; Lewinsohn, 1964; Viney, Aitken, & Floyd, 1974; Weiner & Greene, 2008). Therefore, the DAP can be used as a screening device that gives the clinician information on the patient’s self-image and other important data.
The self-report test, although more valid in predicting impaired body image as manifested in diet behaviors, is a narrow tool that while found to be valid in this study, as well as in previous ones, is limited in the data it can acquire, that is, it can be used for the purpose of body image assessment only.
Limitations
The main limitation of the study was the sample size, which despite being big enough for this kind of research (Nunnally & Bernstein, 1994) may have limited the ability to demonstrate significant results. Although the fact that only women were studied limited the generalizabilty of the results, it should be noted that as stated earlier, women tend to suffer much more than men regarding their body image (Davison & McCabe, 2005; Garner, Rockert, Olmstead, Johnson, & Coscina, 1985; Markey et al., 2001; Markey & Markey, 2005; Murray et al., 1995) and therefore the study was focused on women only. Further research should address the issue of DAP body image indicators also among men. Another limitation of the research concerns diet behavior as an indicator of disturbed body image. It could be hypothesized that if the indicators for disturbed body image were more prominent and obvious, such as eating disorders (or other psychopathologies), a difference in DAP indicators would be evident, as seen in other research (Cash & Brown, 1987; Guez et al., 2010; Handler et al., 2004; Leibowitz, 1999; Slade & Russell, 1973).
On the other hand, the fact that the correlation between the DAP indices of size and body image as assessed by the self-report measure was obtained using healthy, normal women is of great importance regarding the generalizabilty of the results to the general population and not only to pathological populations.
Contributions and Implications for Practice and Future Research
In light of these results, the use of the DAP as a screening tool could be advised with caution. As mentioned, this is an easily administered projective tool that lends itself to broad hypotheses. Furthermore, the DAP, apart from being an assessment instrument, is part of the treatment process, especially in the area of art therapies and in other fields of psychotherapy.
The fact that the test has demonstrated validity for specific indicators calls for future research regarding body image indicators but also other indicators in other areas. It seems that delicate use of selected indicators proven valid in research will augment the justified use of the test.
Thus, although its scientific status is not rock solid, recent research advocates the possibility of using the DAP, especially when used with specific variables that were found to be both valid and reliable such as height or width of the figure drawn regarding body image.
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Summary
The Draw-A-Person (DAP) test has been the center of a long-lasting debate regarding its validity. For quite a while it was considered a very popular and well-accepted test, especially because of the simplicity of its administration. However, the lack of sufficiently strong empirical evidence diminished its use as a valid and accepted measure. This study investigated the DAP indices of height, width (size), and inclusion/omission of details and their relation to body image as measured by a self-report scale (Gray’s body image scale) and as manifested by the diet behaviors and BMI of 55 healthy female students. Although the drawings of the diet group were smaller, there was no significant relationship between figure size and diet behaviors. However, body image as measured by a self-report scale did produce significant differences. There was a significant correlation between the size of the figure drawn and body image as measured by the self-report scale (larger figures correlated with better body image). No significant results were found for the omission/inclusion indices of the DAP. The lack of significant difference in the drawings regarding diet behaviors could be attributed to the nature of the DAP and the fact that the figure drawn by each participant may represent a different aspect of her body image. Although the body image as assessed by questionnaire produced better results and significantly predicted diet behaviors, the DAP has other very important qualities. The DAP is an easily administrated test that can be used in various situations and can yield a broad spectrum of information regarding self-image but also other information on emotional state, anxiety etc. Therefore, the DAP can be used as a screening device that gives the clinician knowledge about the patient’s self-image and other important data. Thus, although its scientific status is not rock solid, recent research advocates the possibility of using the DAP, especially when used with specific variables that were found to be both valid and reliable such as height or width of the figure drawn regarding body image.
Résumé
Le test DAP a été le centre l’objet d’une longue polémique concernant sa validité.
Durant une longue période, il a été très populaire et très utilisé en raison de sa facilité d’application.
Cependant, son insuffisance de preuves empiriques en a diminué l’utilisation en tant qu’outil de mesure efficace.
Cette étude porte sur les indices de tailles (hauteur et circonférence) et de la présence ou de l’absence d’indices et leur relation à l’image du corps auto-reportée sur une échelle de Gray (Gray’s body image scale) par des étudiantes de sexe féminin en bonne santé affichant un indice de masse corporel (BMI) de 55.
Bien que les dessins du groupe au régime soient plus petits, il n’y a pas de relation significative entre la taille de l’image représentée et la nature leurs comportements alimentaires.
Toutefois, l’image du corps ainsi mesurée et auto- reportée a montré des différences importantes.
Il y a une corrélation évidente entre la taille de l’image dessinée et l’image du corps mesuré et auto- reportée (les dessins de plus grande taille correspondent à une meilleure image du corps).
Aucun résultat probant n’a été observé concernant la présence ou l’absence d’indices du DAP.
L’absence de différence marquante dans les dessins des personnes au régime peut être attribuée à la nature même du DAP et le fait que les images dessinées par chaque participante puissent représenter un aspect différent de l’image du corps.
Bien qu’à travers un questionnaire le critère de l’image du corps a donné de meilleurs résultats et des indications prévisibles sur des femmes habituées à suivre un régime alimentaire, le DAP présente d’autres qualités importantes.
Le DAP est un test facilement mis en œuvre qui peut être utilisé dans différentes situations et dresser un large spectre d’informations relative à l’image de soi mais aussi concernant des critères sur l’état émotionnel, l’anxiété, etc.
C’est pour cela que le DAP peut être utilisé en tant qu’outil visuel donnant au praticien une connaissance de l’image de soi de son patient ainsi que d’autres données importantes.
Bien que la position du DAP sur le plan scientifique ne soit pas solide comme le roc, de récentes recherches encouragent l’utilisation du DAP en particulier quand il comporte des paramètres spécifiques validés et fiables tels que les tailles (hauteur et circonférence) de l’image dessinée représentant l’image de soi.
Resumen
La validez del examen- Draw-A-Person (DAP), ha sido el centro de un debate de larga duración. Desde hace un tiempo que ha sido considerado un examen muy popular y bien aceptado, sobre todo debido a la simplicidad en su administración. Sin embargo, la falta de suficientemente fuertes evidencias empíricas, ha hecho que se disminuya su uso como medida válida y aceptada. Este estudio investigó los índices de DAP de altura, ancho (tamaño) y la inclusión / omisión de los detalles y su relación con la imagen corporal, medida por una escala de auto-informe (escala de la imagen del cuerpo de Gray) y que se manifiesta por conductas de dieta y el IMC de 55 alumnas sanas. Aunque los dibujos del grupo de dieta han sido más pequeños, no hubo una relación significativa entre el tamaño de la figura y los comportamientos de la dieta. Sin embargo, la imagen corporal, medida por medio de la escala de un auto-informe, ha producido diferencias significativas. Se ha encontrado una correlación significativa entre el tamaño de la figura dibujada y la imagen corporal, medida por la escala del auto-informe (las figuras más grandes correlacionan mejor con la imagen corporal). No se han encontrado resultados significativos de la omisión / inclusión de los índices del examen DAP. La falta de una diferencia significativa en los dibujos con respecto a los comportamientos de la dieta podrían ser atribuidas a la naturaleza del DAP y el hecho de que la figura dibujada por cada participante, puede representar un aspecto diferente de su cuerpo-imagen. Aunque la imagen del cuerpo, como se ha evaluado mediante el cuestionario produjo mejores resultados y los comportamientos de dieta han predecido significativamente, el DAP tiene otras cualidades muy importantes. El DAP es un examen fácil de administrar, que se puede utilizar en diversas situaciones y ha dado un amplio espectro de información, no solo con respecto a la propia imagen, sino también información adicional relacionada con el estado emocional, la ansiedad, etc. Por lo tanto, el DAP se puede utilizar como un dispositivo de detección que puede dar el conocimiento e importante informacion medica adicional sobre la auto-imagen del paciente. Por lo tanto, aunque su estatus científico no sea de una roca sólida, la investigación reciente aboga por la posibilidad de utilizar el DAP, especialmente cuando se usa con variables específicas que se han encontrado válidas y fiables como la altura o la anchura de la figura dibujada sobre la imagen corporal.
要 約
Draw A Person（DAP）検査はこの検査の妥当性に関する長期間にわたる論争の中心にずっとある。かなり長い間、施行の簡単さゆえに、この検査はとても人気があり、よく受け入れられた検査であった。しかしながら、十分に強固な実証的な証拠が欠けていることにより、妥当で受け入れられる検査としてのこの検査の使用は少なくなっている。本研究は高さ、幅（大きさ）、細部が含まれているか省略されているか、といった DAP の指標と、それらと自己報告式の尺度（Gray の身体イメージ尺度）によって測定される身体イメージとの関連を、55 名の健康な女子大学生のダイエット行動と BMI によって明らかにしたものである。ダイエット群の描画は小さかったが、絵の大きさとダイエット行動の間に有意な関連はなかった。しかし、自己報告による身体イメージとは有意差が見いだされた。描かれた絵の大きさと自己報告による尺度により測定される身体イメージの尺度の間には有意な相関が見いだされた（大きな描画はよい身体イメージと関連が強かった）。DAP の細部が含まれているか省略されているかの指標について有意差は見いだされなかった。ダイエット行動に関して、描画において有意な差異が見いだされなかったのは DAP の性質に起因すると考えられ、それぞれの協力者が描いた人物像が彼女の身体イメージの異なった側面を表しているのかも知れないという事実に起因すると考えられるであろう。質問紙によって査定された身体イメージの方がよい結果を示し、ダイエット行動を有意に予知できるかもしれないが、DAP は非常に重要な他の属性を有している。DAP は多様な領域で容易に実施されており、自己イメージだけでなく情緒的状態や不安などに関する非常に幅広い情報のスペクトラム生み出すかもしれない。それゆえ、DAPは患者の自己イメージや他の重要なデータに関して臨床家に知見を提供するスクリーニングの道具として用いることができる。それゆえその科学的な状態は盤石ではないけれども、特に身体イメージに関しての描かれた人物像の高さや幅のといった妥当性も信頼性もあると見出されている特定の変数を用いて使用される場合には、近年の研究は DAP の利用の可能性を支持している。
