Exploring Personal Constructs and Self-positioning in Adolescents with Mild Physical Disabilities Using the Ideal Self Drawing Technique

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescents with mild physical disabilities occupy a liminal social space, being neither fully disabled nor completely healthy, which may exacerbate identity confusion. Personal Construct Theory (PCT) provides a framework for exploring their self-awareness. This qualitative study aimed to identify the core personal constructs of these adolescents and examine their self-positioning between ideal and undesirable selves using an adapted Ideal Self Drawing Technique. Case Presentation: Eight adolescents (4 girls and 4 boys; aged 14 - 17 years) with mild physical disabilities participated. Constructs were elicited across nine thematic domains using an adapted drawing technique, followed by a visual self-positioning task along an undesirable-self/ideal-self continuum. Thematic content analysis was conducted. In total, 175 undesirable-self constructs and 180 ideal-self constructs were generated. The themes of fear of loneliness and fear of loss emerged across both self-poles. Following collaborative exploration, all participants demonstrated a visual shift in self-appraisal. Conclusions: The adapted technique may offer a useful framework for externalizing self-discrepancies and creating space for self-reflection. However, as this was an uncontrolled qualitative exploration, the findings should be considered hypothesis-generating rather than confirmatory. Further research is needed to establish the clinical utility of the technique.