Self-assessment manikins are visual tools that help individuals express their emotions or feelings. They are particularly useful in mental health settings, where understanding one's emotional state is crucial. Let’s explore the different types of self-assessment manikins, their designs, and how they serve specific purposes.

What Are Self-Assessment Manikins?

Self-assessment manikins are simplified figures or drawings that depict various emotional states. They allow individuals to communicate feelings that might be difficult to articulate. Using visual representations can make it easier for both patients and therapists to discuss emotions.

Common Types of Self-Assessment Manikins

1. SAM (Self-Assessment Manikin)

• Design: The SAM is a series of figures showing a range of emotional expressions. It typically includes a happy face, a neutral face, and a sad face, often rated on a scale.
• Purpose: SAM is widely used to gauge emotional responses in various settings, such as therapy sessions, research studies, and even in schools. It helps individuals rate their feelings in terms of valence (pleasant vs. unpleasant) and arousal (calm vs. excited).

2. Emotional Faces Scale

• Design: This manikin uses cartoon-like faces, each showing different emotions such as joy, anger, sadness, and fear.
• Purpose: Often used with children, this scale helps them identify and express their feelings more easily. Teachers or therapists might use it to facilitate discussions about emotions during sessions.

3. The Faces Pain Scale

• Design: This scale features faces ranging from a broad smile (no pain) to a frown (worst pain).
• Purpose: While primarily used for pain assessment, it can also help gauge emotional discomfort in certain situations, blending physical and emotional health assessments.

How to Use Self-Assessment Manikins

Using self-assessment manikins is quite straightforward. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

1. Choose the Right Manikin: Depending on the context (therapy, classroom, etc.), select the appropriate manikin.
2. Introduce the Manikin: Explain to the individual how to use it. For children, you might say, “Point to the face that shows how you feel today.”
3. Encourage Expression: Allow the individual to select a manikin that best represents their feelings. Encourage them to elaborate on their choice if they feel comfortable.
4. Discuss: Facilitate a conversation about their feelings, using the chosen manikin as a reference point.

Real-Life Examples

• Therapist Sessions: A therapist might use the SAM with an adult client who struggles to express feelings verbally. By selecting a figure that represents their current emotional state, the therapist can guide the conversation toward underlying issues.
• Classroom Settings: A teacher notices a student looks upset. They present the Emotional Faces Scale, allowing the student to indicate their feelings without requiring them to verbalize it directly.

Conclusion

Self-assessment manikins serve as valuable tools in mental health by aiding in emotional expression. By utilizing different designs tailored to specific demographics (like children or adults), these manikins make it easier for individuals to communicate their feelings, fostering better understanding in therapeutic settings.