Abstract

ZORTEA, Lorena Emilia; KREUTZ, Carla Meira  and  JOHANN, Rejane Lúcia Veiga Oliveira. Physical image in institutionalized children and non institututionalized children. Aletheia [online]. 2008, n.27, pp. 111-125. ISSN 1413-0394.

The study in question investigated, through human figure drawings and interviews, the body image and self-concept in institutionalized and non institutionalized children, of both genders and age between five and seven years old. The graphic production aimed to investigate the physical image and it was evaluated by the emotional indicators scale, of Koppitz (1966). The interviews targeted to examine the self-concept and were analyzed by content analysis, of Bardin (1977). The results of the study 1 show a few significant differences between the two groups, proving that non institutionalized children, the ones living with their parents, show a number of emotional indicators that are very similar to the institutionalized children, probably because they are receiving quality attention at the institution. The results of the study II suggest that children in both groups show similarities in their accounts. A peculiarity of the institutionalized children group is insecurity when it comes to their qualities.

Keywords : Physical image; Self-concept; Institutionalization.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )