Using the Bender-Gestalt test to predict graphomotor dimensions of the Draw-A-Person test.

Area of Science:

• Psychological assessment
• Child psychology
• Neurodevelopmental disorders

Background:

• The Bender-Gestalt Test and Draw-A-Person Test are widely used in clinical psychology.
• Understanding the relationship between these tests can enhance diagnostic accuracy for children.
• Emotional and behavioral disorders in children require precise assessment tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlations between specific geometric and spatial aspects of the Bender-Gestalt Test and human figure drawings.
• To determine if these correlations can be utilized for refining diagnostic procedures in children with emotional and behavioral disorders.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a digitizing pad to encode spatial data (width, height, location) from Bender-Gestalt figures and human drawings.
• Analyzed correlations between corresponding elements of the two drawing tests.
• Subjects included 41 boys and 14 girls diagnosed with serious emotional or behavioral disorders.

Main Results:

• Significant correlations were found between the widths of Bender Figures 2 and 8 and human drawing widths.
• Significant correlations were observed between the heights of Bender Figures A, 5, and 7 and human drawing heights.
• Bender Figure 1's correlation with the horizontal placement (abscissa) of human figures was significant, unlike vertical placement (ordinate).

Conclusions:

• Specific measurable aspects of the Bender-Gestalt Test correlate with human figure drawings in emotionally disturbed children.
• These findings suggest potential for integrating data from both tests to improve diagnostic specificity.
• Further research comparing these results across diverse samples is recommended for clinical application.