In this study, we had three aims: (a) to investigate whether child maltreatment facilitates the onset of internalizing problems, externalizing problems, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS); (b) to explore through a standardized projective technique whether the image of the self in maltreated children is related to more inadequate personal resources and more archaic defense mechanisms; (c) to verify the relationship between the presence of internalizing problems, externalizing problems, PTSS, and the key elements of drawings by maltreated children. The study involved 94 children (39 maltreated children and 55 non-maltreated children) aged between 5 and 13 years. We investigated internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems using the Child behavior Check List 4–18, and we investigated PTSS using the Parent Report of Post-Traumatic Symptoms. We used the Draw-a-Child-in-the-Rain activity to investigate mental representations of the self and children’s defense mechanisms. Results indicated a higher rate of internalizing and externalizing problems and of PTSS in maltreated children. Graphic representations by maltreated children differ from those by non-maltreated children in the use of color, amount of detail, and the depiction of an umbrella. Drawings seem to be valid aids for expanding knowledge of the representation of self and the psychological functioning of the child.

在这项研究中，我们有三个目标：（a）调查虐待儿童是否会促进内在问题，外在问题和创伤后应激症状（PTSS）的发作；（b）通过标准化的投射技术探索受虐待儿童的自我形象是否与更多的个人资源不足和更多的古老防御机制有关；（c）验证受虐待儿童存在内在问题，外在问题，PTSS和绘画关键要素之间的关系。该研究纳入了5至13岁的94名儿童（39名虐待儿童和55名未虐待儿童）。我们使用儿童行为检查表4-18调查了内部和外部行为问题，我们使用创伤后症状家长报告调查了PTSS。我们使用了“在雨中画一个孩子”活动来研究自我和孩子防御机制的心理表征。结果表明，虐待儿童的内在和外在问题以及PTSS的发生率较高。受虐待儿童的图形表示与未受虐待儿童的图形表示在颜色使用，细节数量和雨伞描绘方面有所不同。绘画似乎是扩大自我表达和儿童心理功能知识的有效手段。结果表明，虐待儿童的内在和外在问题以及PTSS的发生率较高。受虐待儿童的图形表示与未受虐待儿童的图形表示在颜色使用，细节数量和雨伞描绘方面有所不同。绘画似乎是扩大自我表达和儿童心理功能知识的有效手段。结果表明，虐待儿童的内在和外在问题以及PTSS的发生率较高。受虐待儿童的图形表示与未受虐待儿童的图形表示在颜色使用，细节数量和雨伞描绘方面有所不同。绘画似乎是扩大自我表达和儿童心理功能知识的有效手段。