An examination of differences between adult and adolescent controls using the Diagnostic Drawing Series

The Diagnostic Drawing Series (DDS) was used to investigate differences between non-hospitalized adult and adolescent artwork. Using the complete DDS Revised Rating Guide (Cohen, 1994. The diagnostic drawing series rating guide.), a control group of 60 adult DDSs were compared to the DDSs of to 60 adolescents, ages 13-17. A chi-square analysis indicated statistically significant (p < .05) findings. The most significant findings for adolescent images included: more single image and unusual placement in picture one; angular/curvilinear mix and geometric/angular lines in picture two; line only drawings and disintegration in picture three. This pioneering research begins to set the norm towards standardizing healthy adolescent artwork using the DDS.