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Tell Me a Story: A Review of Narrative Assessments for Preschoolers

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Abstract

The use of narrative assessments in mental health research with young children has increased significantly over the last 15 years. This article reviews 13 empirically validated narrative assessments for preschool populations. The reviewed instruments assess children’s attachment relationships, moral values, separation anxiety, pro-social behavior, object relations and depression, among other constructs. The authors present an analysis of each instrument including a discussion of its methodological rigor, and point to needed directions in the field. These narrative assessment instruments provide researchers and clinicians with insight into the internal worlds of young children, offering windows into a difficult-to-assess population.

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  1. University of Utah College of Social Work, 395 South 1500 East, Rm. 101, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA

    Joanna E. Bettmann & Brad W. Lundahl

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  1. Joanna E. Bettmann
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  2. Brad W. Lundahl
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Correspondence to Joanna E. Bettmann.

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Bettmann, J.E., Lundahl, B.W. Tell Me a Story: A Review of Narrative Assessments for Preschoolers. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 24, 455–475 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-007-0095-8

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