Detailed contribution information
| Contribution title | Exploring Psychiatric Diagnoses Through Drawing: A Qualitative Analysis of Tree Drawing Features in Hospitalized Children and Adolescents |
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| Contribution code | D1.057 |
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| Form of presentation | Poster |
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| Abstract |
Projective techniques are widely used in clinical psychology, particularly with children or individuals who struggle with verbal expression, as assessment tool designed to uncover unconscious thoughts, feelings, and motives by presenting individuals with ambiguous stimuli. In this study we focused on drawing-based projective techniques, particularly the Tree Drawing Test (Baum Test). Other researchers have connected some elements of the drawings in the Baum Test with many psychological disorders such as depression, paranoid schizophrenia, mild cognitive impairment, eating disorders and Alzheimer’s. In this qualitative study we aimed to analyze tree drawings created by psychiatrically hospitalized children and adolescents to explore how specific drawing features correlate with different psychiatric diagnoses. Children often face difficulties verbalizing their condition, but through drawing, they overcome this barrier, discovering and expressing emotions, as well as conscious and unconscious thoughts. We used the time in occupational therapy, a regularly occurring part of the hospitalization, to give the task of drawing a tree where, without specific instructions, the child is indirectly and freely guided to express themselves through the drawing. By examining elements such as tree size, placement, line quality, and symbolic content, we intended to identify patterns that may reflect emotional states, cognitive functioning, or personality traits associated with mental conditions. The findings could enhance understanding of how nonverbal expressions reveal underlying psychological struggles, particularly in children with limited verbal communication skills. Furthermore, incorporating drawing-based assessments into diagnostic protocols may help clinicians develop more tailored therapeutic interventions, addressing the specific emotional and cognitive needs of young patients in a developmentally appropriate manner. |