Development and Validation of Drawing-Based Emotional Processing Scale (DRAWEP) for Art Therapists

Abstract

This study developed and evaluated the Drawing-Based Emotional Processing Scale for Art Therapists (DRAWEP) for measuring emotional processing. We collected 120 drawings from participants (aged 18–87). The study was conducted in two phases: (a) tool development through expert focus group discussions of 20 drawings, content validity and interrater reliability assessment; (b) assessment of 100 drawings for construct validity (factor structure, convergent and discriminant validity). In Phase 1 The DRAWEP tool was constructed. In Phase 2, four emotional processing factors were identified: art creation, making sense, organizing, and embodiment. Convergent and discriminant validity and reliability were satisfactory. DRAWEP may provide art therapists with a tool for evaluating latent contents of emotional processing. Further testing with clinical populations is needed.