Constructing A Revised Version of the Face Stimulus Assessment to Measure Formal Elements

The Face Stimulus Assessment-Revised (FSA-R) is an art-based instrument constructed from elements of the Face Stimulus Assessment (FSA, Betts, 2003). The pilot test involved computerized rating of formal elements between those with Major Depressive Disorder (n = 20), and controls without known diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (n=20). Significance resulted from a multiple t-test analysis of the data. In response to the hypothesis that the formal elements of color and/or free space from the FSA-R, rated by public domain image analysis software (PDIAS), can distinguish Major Depression artwork from control group artwork, this study concluded that certain colors and free space distinguished the groups. Those with Major Depression drew less purple (t(38) = -2.95, p= .05, d = -.96), less orange (t(38) = -2.28, p = .05, d = -70), and more left free space (t(38) = 2.26, p = .05, d = .73) than controls. As a result, it may be possible for the FSA-R to become a standardized instrument for screening Major Depression.