Comparison of «draw-a-person» test elements in oppositional defiant disorder and normal children

The present study evaluated the ability of possible components of Draw-A-Person (DAP) test in distinguishing oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). 60 students (30 males; 30 females) from 16 randomly selected schools in Tehran who had received scores above the cut off point on ODD subtest of child behavioral check list (CBCL) and teacher report form (TRF) were selected as the subjects of the study. They ranged from 7 to 10 years old. 60 other students from the same schools, compatible in age and sex, who scored below the cut off point on CBCL and TRF served as the control group. Both groups were administered DAP test. Data was analyzed by chi-square to compare groups across components of DAP. ODD group rated significantly higher than the control group in 18 components of DAP (p<0/05); the control group rated significantly higher than the ODD group in 13 components of DAP (p<0/05). No significant difference was observed between the male and female subjects Human figure drawings of individuals diagnosed with ODD, irrespective of their gender, are significantly different than those of the non-ODDs.