Children's Attitudes Toward the Mentally III as Reflected in Human Figure Drawings and Stories

Abstract

One hundred and sixty-eight children in grades three through six drew pictures and wrote stories about their conceptions of the mentally ill. Work/chores and play were predominant themes in the drawings and stories depicting “normal” people. Inappropriate behavior, suicide, aggression/hostility and self-abusive behavior were the predominant themes in the drawings and stories depicting “crazy” people. The utility of using drawings and stories as a data base for assessing children's attitudes toward the mentally ill is examined.