THE HUMAN FIGURE DRAWING PROJECTIVE TEST IN REVEALING ANXIETY AMONG CHILDREN AND ADOSCENTS

Abstract

Projective tests, specifically the Human Figure Drawing Test (HFDT), serve as psychological assessment tools designed to evaluate the cognitive, emotional, and personality dimensions of an individual through the medium of drawing. This study examines the efficacy of human figure drawings in identifying anxiety among children and adolescents by integrating the theoretical frameworks of Goodenough-Harris, Koppitz, and Machover. The Goodenough-Harris theory elucidates the correlation between cognitive maturity and visual perception through drawing, while the Koppitz approach emphasizes emotional indicators such as line pressure, figure placement, and facial expressions. Furthermore, Machover posits that human figure drawings act as a self-projection, reflecting an individual's internal conflicts and psychological state. A synthesis of three journal articles reveals that the capacity to draw a human figure functions not only as a marker of cognitive development but also as a vehicle for emotional expression that symbolically uncovers anxiety. Consequently, projective human figure drawings hold significant clinical value in mental health contexts, particularly for the non-verbal and empathic detection of anxiety in younger populations.