Work

Symbolic Echoes of Conflict: Archetypal Patterns in Projective Drawing of Traumatized Children in Civil War-Torn Myanmar

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Projective drawings are widely used in trauma-informed child assessment as non-verbal pathways into internal emotional states, particularly in contexts where verbal expression is limited. This paper synthesizes archetypal patterns observed in drawings by three children exposed to civil unrest in Myanmar, including the Fragmented Self, Hypervigilant Watcher, Absent Figure, Fortress, Aggressor, Displaced Journey, Silent Landscape, Protector Figure, Chaotic Scene, and Frozen Moment. Drawing on principles from Dialogic-Diagnostic Arts Therapies and Traumatized Behavioral Therapy (incorporating Trauma Psychology), the paper situates ten key archetypes within trauma responses, such as dissociation, hyperarousal, grief, and resilience. Emphasis is placed on culturally responsive and ethically grounded interpretation, cautioning against over-pathologizing imagery that may reflect lived realities of conflict, particularly within the context of the Myanmar civil war. The paper advocates for integrative assessment approaches combining visual analysis with narrative elicitation and developmental understanding.

Source: Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20095766

Authors: Chia, Kok Hwee, Wong, Madeline Foong Yee, Thang, Gideon Kap Cin

Institution: TCA College

Language: English

Topic: Art Therapy and Mental Health

Subfield: Conservation

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7160710902

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