Paediatria Croatica, Vol. 61 No. 4, 2017.
Stručni rad
https://doi.org/10.13112/PC.2017.29
Analysis of drawings made by children with chronic and acute diseases
Anamarija Vuletić
; Filozofski fakultet Split
Goran Kardum
Ina Reić-Ercegovac
Sažetak
The aim of the study was to analyze the possible diff erences in visual art expression between children with chronic/acute diseases
and healthy children. Study hypothesis was that sick children would probably use darker shades and occupy less space in the drawing.
Considering the unfavorable consequences of the disease, the aim was to assess whether children would express their sadness,
fear and anxiety about their disease through drawings. The study included 22 children suff ering from chronic or acute diseases and
hospitalized at Department of Pediatrics, and 102 healthy children from the Stobreč Elementary School, of which 22 drawings were
chosen. The children were asked to make a drawing by their own choice and a family drawing during a homeroom class. Study
results did not confi rm the preset hypothesis, i.e. there was no signifi cant diff erence in using dark shades and space in drawings
between the two groups of children. Other results obtained by analysis and comparison of children’s drawings did not show any
statistically signifi cant diff erences either; both healthy and sick children chose various subjects in their drawings; colors were less
used by sick children; all sick children drew both parents; more sick children drew other family members; and more healthy children
drew the motifs of sun, sky and grass on their family drawings. Accordingly, study results indicated that there were no signifi cant
diff erences between the drawings made by healthy children and those hospitalized for chronic/acute diseases. Both groups of children
used the space off ered for drawing in a similar way and used similar colors. In conclusion, the children with chronic/acute diseases
did not express more negative emotions or diffi culties in self-perception in their visual art expression as compared with healthy
children. Considering some study limitations such as sample size, other relevant hypotheses should be tested on a larger sample in
order to get better insight into the characteristics of drawings made by children suff ering from chronic and acute diseases. Such data
could be helpful in designing targeted programs of encouragement and support provided for children with chronic and acute
diseases.
Ključne riječi
healthy children; children with chronic and acute diseases; children’s drawings
Hrčak ID:
201180
URI
Datum izdavanja:
22.12.2017.
Posjeta: 1.951 *