Legacy in Lines: Exploring Intergenerational Attachment Through Bird’s Nest Drawings

Abstract

This study aims to examine the cross-generational transmission of attachment representations through a projective drawing method, the Bird’s Nest Drawing Test. The sample consisted of fifty grandmother–mother–child triads, comprising a total of one hundred and fifty individuals. Following standardized instructions, each participant was asked to draw a bird’s nest. All drawings were evaluated using a uniform rating system. Frequency differences in attachment-related indicators across generations were examined through descriptive statistical methods and chi-square analyses. The findings revealed a high level of stability across generations. Indicators such as the presence of a parent bird, chick or egg, parent–offspring intimacy, the use of nature-related colours, and page-space utilization appeared to be consistent across generations. However, two elements were observed more frequently in children’s drawings: the inclusion of the sun and the depiction of the nest within a tree trunk. These differences may reflect children’s greater need for expression and their tendency to represent secure attachment more explicitly through symbolic elements in their drawings. Overall, the results suggest that attachment representations are transmitted across generations through behavioural, visual, and symbolic means. In addition, the findings support the Bird’s Nest Drawing Test as a reliable and economical projective tool for exploring intergenerational attachment patterns, thereby contributing to the broader application of attachment theory within visual-based assessment approaches.