Body Image in Adulthood: A Projective Approach

Abstract

A sample of 210 persons varying by age (young adults, middle-aged, older adults), gender, and relationship status (single or involved) were administered the Holtzman Inkblot Technique (HIT) and Geriatric Draw-A-Person (G-DAP) to ascertain projectively assessed aspects of body image in adulthood. Results suggested that both the HIT and G-DAP were sensitive to the effects of age and gender, wherein young adults scored higher on both HIT Barrier and Penetration than both middle-aged or older adults. In addition, G-DAP scores favored young adults. HIT Penetration scores varied by both age and relationship status.