Critically aligning kinetic family drawing test protocol interpretations with existing family structures : a multiple case study from the Itsoseng clinic files

Abstract

South Africa is a multi-cultural society where an interplay exists between families and broader social structures. The countries historical legacy pre-dates the Apartheid era and society currently reflects the transformation that has occurred over the last decade. Government has emphasised the rebuilding of the nation, focusing specifically on rebuilding severed family units. The acknowledgement of altered family structures reflects in the Governments White and Green Papers. Children s drawings portray family structures from their subjective perceptions. The use of the Kinetic Family Drawing test have been utilised in this study to assess whether this test is culturally sensitive to the South African context. This study assessed KFD protocols from a community clinic in Mamelodi, Pretoria where access to Psychological services are free. Five protocols were interpreted according to the Westernised manual developed by Burns and Kaufman (1970, 1972) and from the cross-culturally validated system by Wegmann and Lusebrink (2000). It was found that neither system were completely culturally sensitive to the South African context. Trauma, adverse incidents and the intergenerational psychological impact of disintegrated family units require more emphasis. When interpreting the KFD in this context, the clinician requires a thorough knowledge of the social, historical and political elements of the child s environment and their perceived role within the family. Additionally, an understanding of attachment principles assists greatly in evaluating a holistic understanding of the child s drawing.