Questionnaire Description

The Fairy Tale Test (FTT) is a projective assessment designed for children aged 6 to 12 years old. Its purpose is to identify dimensions of personality and the dynamic nature of both conscious and unconscious relationships. The test is based on 21 cards depicting familiar characters and scenes from fairy tales, such as Snow White and Little Red Riding Hood. The child is asked to respond to questions like: “What does the wolf think/feel?”, “Which witch scares you the most and why?”. The FTT evaluates 29 personality parameters related to defensiveness, aggression, anxiety, depression, moral awareness, self-esteem, adaptability, as well as the child’s familial relationship with their parents.

Data Analysis and Use

The analysis is based on the 29 personality parameters derived from the child’s responses to the story cards. These parameters are statistically evaluated and correlated with other behavioral questionnaires, such as the Child Behaviour Checklist, Beck Youth Inventories, and the Aggression Questionnaire. The interpretation of responses allows for a deeper understanding of the child’s personality characteristics and the identification of possible psychopathological patterns.

Objective

The goal of the FTT is the overall assessment of the child’s personality and the identification of difficulties or pathological elements that may affect their daily functioning. Additionally, it provides insight into the child’s emotional connection with primary caregivers (e.g., parents), and serves as a diagnostic guide for psychotherapeutic planning.

Standardization

The FTT was first standardized in Greece, specifically in the wider Athens area, between 1989 and 1992, using a sample of 800 children attending public schools. It was re-standardized between 2001 and 2003 with another sample of 800 children aged 6 to 12. The test has also been standardized or is in the process of standardization in other countries, including the UK, Germany, Spain, Russia, Brazil, China, and India. The test’s reliability and validity have been confirmed through factor analyses and correlations with other established tools.

References

Coulacoglou, C. (2000). The cross-cultural and clinical values of fairy tales and the Fairy Tale Test. Journal of Psychology and Mental Health, 8(2), 149–152.
Coulacoglou, C. (2002). Construct validation of the Fairy Tale Test – standardization data. International Journal of Testing, 2(3-4), 217–242.
Coulacoglou, C., Souyoudzoglou, M., & Atsarou, A. (2002). A study on aggression in children through the Fairy Tale Test. Revista Iberoamericana de Diagnóstico y Evaluación Psicologica, 13(1), 9–27.
Coulacoglou, C., Souyoudzoglou, M., & Atsarou, A. (2003). A study towards the understanding and assessment of ambivalence in children. Le CarnetPsy, 80, 25–31.