Expression of overadaptation in children through drawing a man as a projective measure: a community sample study.

Background: Overadaptation, the behavior of individuals who follow the expectations of others as perfectly as possible, is often observed and related to maladjustment, school refusal, and physical symptoms; however, no method has been proposed yet to assess the overadaptive tendency. This study evaluated the efficacy of the Goodenough Draw-a-Man (DAM) test as a projective measure of overadaptation in children.

Methods: Eighty children (36 boys, 44 girls), aged 6-8 years, were assessed for their ability to draw a man using the DAM test. Class teachers were asked to assess whether each child was overadapting. The total and subscale DAM scores and pass rates were compared between children with a teacher-assessed tendency for overadaptation and control children, separately for girls and boys.

Results: The mean total DAM score was significantly higher for girls versus boys for both the overadapting children and controls. For boys, no significant differences on the total and subscale DAM scores were noted between the overadapting boys and controls. Conversely, for girls, total and three subscale DAM scores (Mouth/Nose/Ears, Hair, Fingers) were significantly higher in the overadapting girls versus controls. Moreover, for girls, the DAM pass rates on five items (ratio of head; ears present; position and shape of nose; depiction of hair, not to see the scalp; details of fingers) were higher in the overadapting girls versus controls.

Conclusions: The DAM test could identify the overadaptive tendencies of girls aged 6-8 years.