Validity of the Draw-A-Person: Screening Procedure for Emotional Disturbance (DAP:SPED) in Strengths-Based Assessment

Objective: This is the first validity study to date to examine the relationship between the Draw-A-Person: Screening Procedure for Emotional Disturbance (DAP:SPED) and strengths-based emotional and behavioral measures. The incremental predictive validity of the DAP:SPED relative to the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale was examined. Method: Youth in the sample (N = 109; 9 to 14 years old) were in general education classes or receiving special education services. Results: Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that the DAP:SPED accounted for 21.7% of the variance in Interpersonal Strength parent report (β = -.480; p < .001), after controlling for demographic variables and Interpersonal Strength student report, and accounted for 27.4% of the variance in Intra-personal Strength (β = -.562; p < .001), controlling for educational placement. Conclusions: The DAP:SPED is a useful youth-report instrument in large environments (e.g., schools) as a quick and nonthreatening way to identify those youth who may need more specialized attention.