THE RELATIONSHIP OF ALEXITHYMIA TO THE HOUSE-DRAWING-TEST AND THE ROOM-DRAWING-TEST

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship of alexithymia to the House-Drawing-Test and the Room-Drawing-Test, to identify what the Room-Drawing-Test can capture, and which drawing features should be focused when analyzing this test. In total, 433 undergraduate female students were classified into four subgroups based on cluster analysis using the subscale scores of the Japanese version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Group characteristics were discussed/compared based on their drawings using self-developed analysis indicators. The most alexithymic group showed significant features regarding perspective and space composition in the Room-Drawing-Test; participants had a vague distinction between the internal and external worlds, and faced difficulties to have an integrated perspective toward and to relate to the internal world. The significance of the Room-Drawing-Test when elucidating individuals’ attitudes toward the internal/external worlds and that of focusing on perspective and on the degree of differentiation/elaboration of the interior space when analyzing this test, were highlighted.