Date of Award

Spring 5-2012

Document Type

Thesis

Department

EVMS School of Health Professions

Program/Concentration

Art Therapy

Committee Director

Shannon Trewartha

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine adult attachment styles seen in the Bird’s Nest Drawings of adopted adults, compared to those seen in non-adopted adults. A sample of 17 participants (16 non-adopted adults and 1 adopted adult) in the age range of 21-57 completed a Bird’s Nest Drawing (BND), Bird’s Nest Drawing Story, Adult Attachment Scale Questionnaire, and a demographic questionnaire.

The BND was devised by Donna Kaiser to assess secure and insecure attachment as seen through graphic indicators in a projective drawing test. Kaiser’s February 2012 updated BND checklist is comprised of 14 hypothesized graphic indicator items, to include the BND Story theme. Correlated with the Adult Attachment Scale, a self-reported 18-item questionnaire and demographic questionnaire, statistical analysis indicated no significant relationship between the BND and AAS in predicting attachment styles in either adopted or non-adopted adults. This may be due to the small sample size of participants or perhaps other lifestyle factors of the participants. Since only one participant identified as being adopted, not enough data could be acquired to show patterns of attachment seen in adopted adults, therefore, no implications could be presented contrasting non-adopted counterparts. Prior BND research conducted has indicated correlations between the graphic indicators and attachment styles. Themes surrounding “secure” and “insecure” attachment were recorded and may lead to conclusions about future implications on research.

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DOI

10.25777/2aeh-wd55

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