The Use of the Emotional Indicator Scores on the Goodenough-Harris Draw-a-Person Test and the Bender Motor-Gestalt Test to Screen Primary School Children for Possible Emotional Maladjustment

Abstract

A sample of 140 children were classified as Maladjusted, Borderline Maladjusted or Not Maladjusted based on behavioral data collected from their parents using a standard psychiatric interview schedule. Differences in the children's Emotional Indicator scores on the Bender Motor-Gestalt Test and the Draw-a-Person Test across the Maladjustment categories were observed. The data were then subjected to a Discriminant Function Analysis. The resulting function correctly classified 50% of cases, or over 65% when the distinction between Borderline Maladjusted and Maladjusted was disregarded. The results suggest the usefulness of drawing test emotional indicators in the context of screening for maladjustment.