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 draw-a-man test as a projective measure of overadaptation in community children. Methods Eighty children (36 boys, 44 girls) aged 6-8 years were assessed for their ability to draw a man using the Goodenough Draw-A-Man Test (DAM test). Class teachers were asked to assess whether the 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, Hairs, 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 extract the overadaptive tendencies of girls aged 6-8 years.