Dissertation
The resilience songwriting program for adolescent bereavement: a mixed methods exploratory study
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Mar 2018
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-7842
Abstract
Music therapy research with youth who are grieving frequently uses a combination of approaches (e.g., lyric analysis, improvisation, songwriting), but it is unclear to what extent each approach contributes to the treatment outcomes. The ability to interpret and apply this research is further limited by the lack of theory-driven music therapy interventions. The purpose of this exploratory study was to evaluate the impact of an 8-session, resilience-focused group songwriting program on protective factors in adolescents who are grieving and understand how they experienced the program. This study employed a single-group, pre-/post-test convergent mixed methods design. Participants included 10 adolescents experiencing bereavement (5 girls, 5 boys), ages 12 to 17 years. We implemented the program at a behavioral health clinic, a pediatric hospital bereavement support program, and a school. Quantitative outcomes measured were grief, coping, emotional expression, self-esteem, and meaning making. Qualitative data were captured through the use of semi-structured interviews after the program and in-session journaling. While not statistically significant, median scores for grief, coping, and meaning making improved from pre-test to post-test. No changes were found for self-esteem and only minimal improvements in emotional expression and coping. Qualitative findings suggested that the program offered adolescents a sense of togetherness and belonging, a way to safely express their grief-related emotions and experiences verbally and non-verbally, and opportunities for strengthening their musical and coping skills. These findings suggest that engaging in therapeutic songwriting alongside grieving peers may decrease levels of grief and enhance coping skills, meaning making, and social support.
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Details
- Title
- The resilience songwriting program for adolescent bereavement
- Creators
- Katherine Myers-Coffman - DU
- Contributors
- Joke Bradt (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xii, 147 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 7842; 991014632504604721