Assessing Attachment with the Bird’s Nest Drawing - A Review of the Research

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda

The Bird’s Nest Drawing (Kaiser, 1996) is an art-based assessment designed to evaluate attachment security. Over the past decade, multiple studies have tested this art therapy directive across diverse populations. The paper reviews attachment theory, synthesizes key findings from five studies and summarizes results from four additional studies. Clinical implications for using the Bird’s Nest Drawing and directions for future research are discussed.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Attachment Theory

Assessing Attachment with the Bird’s Nest Drawing: A Review of the Research Donna H. Kaiser, New Haven, CT, and Sarah Deaver, Norfolk, VA Abstract The Bird’s Nest Drawing (Kaiser, 1996) is an art-based assessment that was developed to assess attachment security. In the past 10 years, several studies have further tested this art therapy directive with various populations. This paper briefly reviews attachment theory, delineates the significant findings from five of the studies, and provides information from four others. Implications for clinical use of the Bird’s Nest Drawing and need for future research are discussed. Introduction The Bird’s Nest Drawing (BND) was conceived as an art-based assessment that would provide information about an individual’s attachment security as depicted in a drawing (Kaiser, 1996) . Unlike other art therapy assessments that are tied to atheoretical classification systems such asthe Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (American Psychiatric Association, 1994), the BND is grounded in attachment theory and seeks to access a person’s internal representation of self and other. The BND provides useful clinical information about a client’s attachment security, which affects the development of a therapeutic relationship and the course of art therapy treatment. In the past 10 years, five research studies conducted at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk have further tested this art therapy directive with various populations. This article briefly reviews attachment theory, delineates the significant findings from the five studies, and identifies four other studies on the BND. Implications for clinical use of the BND and need for future research are discussed. Attachment Theory Attachment theory is a developmental and relational framework with origins in psychoanalytic and object relations theories. Bowlby (1969/1982) selected the term“attachment” to direct attention to the importance of intimate relationships throughout a person’s life. Based on his clinical observations and study of ethology—the science that explains animal behavior—Bowlby surmised that just Editor’s note: Donna Kaiser, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, LMFT, is Assistant Professor of Psychology, Albertus Magnus College, New Haven, CT. Sarah Deaver, MS, MS Ed, ATR-BC, is Associate Professor and Research Director, Graduate Art Therapy Program, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA. Correspondence concerning this article may be addressed to the first author [at dkaiser@albertus.edu](at dkaiser@albertus.edu) as baby monkeys preferred to snuggle with a cloth mother even though a wire mother supplied milk, and baby goslings followed whatever figure they were attached to during a critical time period (referring to the research of Harlow and Lorenz, respectively), human infants instinctively preferred to remain near protective caretakers to ensure survival. Bowlby (as cited in Bretherton & Munholland, 1999) asserted that: Human beings of all ages are found to be at their happiest and to be able to deploy their talents to best advantage when they are confident that, standing behind them, there are one or more trusted persons who will come to their aid should difficulties arise. The person trusted provides a secure base from which his (or her) companion can operate. (p. 89) The basic premise of attachment theory is that humans innately seek proximity to parents and primary caretakers in order to feel safe and secure (Bowlby, 1969/1982) . Based on their early experiences with these attachment figures, children develop certain behaviors toelicit desired responses (Karen, 1998) . Over time, these interactions are internalized as mental representations of relational experiences, or internal working models (IWMs) of attachment. IWMs include beliefs and expectations regarding the lovability and worth of the self and the availability of the caregiver, as well as various rules governing regulation of attachment-salient affects and beha

FAQs

What is the Bird’s Nest Drawing used to assess?

The Bird’s Nest Drawing (BND) was developed as an art-based assessment to evaluate attachment security as depicted in a person’s drawing.

How is the BND grounded, and what does it aim to access?

Unlike other art therapy assessments tied to atheoretical classification systems, the BND is grounded in attachment theory and seeks access to internal representations of self and other.

What does attachment theory suggest about how internal working models form?

Attachment theory proposes that early experiences with attachment figures shape internal working models, including beliefs and expectations about the self, others, and the caregiver’s availability.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda