The tree drawings of 80 subjects, who were diagnosed with either multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia, or major depression, and a control group, were rated. Patterns were examined and graphs were used to depict results. Certain features were found to distinguish each category. The descriptive statistical findings were both consistent and…

The Potomac Art Therapy Association (PATA) conducted a survey of its members' involvement in and attitudes toward research. Two factors were found to contribute to art therapists' hesitancy to pursue research: (1) a lack of training; and (2) statistics and mathematics. Discusses PATA's initiatives to promote research. (Author/JDM)

Explores whether children with AD/HD respond differently to a specific art directive. Using the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale to evaluate the drawings, results indicate three elements that would most accurately predict the artists into the AD/HD group: color prominence, details of objects and environments, and line quality. (Contains 29…

Used time series design, Change-over-Time, study to determine usefulness of four tasks in distinguishing maturational factors and neurological characteristics of eight boys diagnosed as neurologically impaired. Results indicated that tasks were characterized by use of regular art materials, interest to subjects, ability to be replicated, and…

Surveyed 29 graduate and undergraduate faculty in art therapy. Found that both graduate and undergraduate programs relied heavily on part-time faculty who do only teaching and do not receive benefits. Found that full-time faculty's duties, in addition to teaching, included research and service requirements. (Author/NB)

Investigated Children's Diagnostic Drawing Series (DDS) with 90 children and adolescents, 28 of whom were diagnosed with adjustment disorders. Seven of 23 objective variables of DDS Rating Method significantly discriminated between children currently in therapy and those not in therapy. Of 23 variables, 20 had categorical clusters for children in…

Compares therapeutic factors in verbal and art group psychotherapy in a psychiatric day-treatment clinic in Israel. Results only partly support the differences between modalities, but do reveal significant differences between participants with only a few interactions between participants and modalities. All therapeutic factors appear in both…

Investigates the themes of 16 family practice residents' art work and their characteristics (age, gender, resident year, undergraduate training location) in relationship to stress. Residents' drawing were linked by common themes of psychological pressure, anxiety, a sense of being overwhelmed, and depression. Evidence of stress was more frequently…

Art therapy has been used to support the coping skills of patients with various medical illnesses. The purpose of this case study was to examine the usefulness of art therapy in promoting communication and a positive sense of well-being in a hemodialysis patient. The participant was a 57-year-old Caucasian female who had been treated with…

The Family Drawing Depression Scale (FDDS) was created by Wright and McIntyre to provide a clear and reliable scoring method for the Kinetic Family Drawing as a procedure for detecting depression. A study was conducted to confirm the value of the FDDS as a systematic tool for interpreting family drawings with populations of depressed individuals.…

Analyzed the lyrics of the 100 most popular songs in America from the 1950s to the 1980s to assess their value themes. Extracted nine value themes: romantic love, celebration, humanitarianism, antiestablishmentarianism, friendship, patriotism, narcissism, self-esteem, and nostalgia. Romantic love, particularly that of "innocent" young…

Compares the effects of instructional art projects on children's behavioral responses and creativity in a sample of children residing in an emergency shelter. Results reveal that children produced more formed expressions and creative/design elements and less chaotic discharge and stereotypic art through the art project that involved few…

Investigates the use of the Naglieri Draw-a-Person Test (DAP) for its appropriateness for use by art therapists. A total of 306 drawings were collected from 34 children, ages 5 to 10, over a 1-year period in three phases. Concludes that the Naglieri DAP would be a useful tool for art therapists in the assessment of cognitive development. (Contains…

Describes the experience of creating and working with the Face Stimulus Assessment (FSA). Six samples of the FSA completed by clients with multiple disabilities are presented. As the FSA is a work in progress and has yet to be established as a valid and reliable assessment, implications for further research are also discussed. (Contains 32…

Used standardized three-picture art interview, Diagnostic Drawing Series (DDS), with older people. Collected artwork from 24 patients diagnosed with Organic Mental Syndromes and Disorders (OMS/D). Structural qualities found in art were identified using DDS. Observations of these qualities may aid in early diagnosis of OMS/D and help educate…