Thesis
A theoretical approach of assessing the presence of trauma in pediatric medical patients using music therapy and metaphor
Master of Arts (M.A.), Drexel University
Jun 2010
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3625
Abstract
For a child, the stress of an unfamiliar and possibly frightening environment, like a medical hospital, coupled with aches and pains of the medical stressor that brought him or her to the hospital, can become overwhelming. If, we as clinicians are not sensitive to that possibility or are not attuned to signs of this perceived threat, the child may be left to experience his or her situation as traumatic. This thesis was assumed because it is possible that the creative mode of music therapy can enter a child's world and assist him or her process an experience he or she is not otherwise able to comprehend. What could a music therapy intervention demonstrate about a pediatric medical patient's experience in the hospital that perhaps other modalities might miss? In addition, since children often naturally use play and storytelling as their way of understanding something, then joining music, which can offer support in creating story songs, seems like an appropriate connection. It may not be the event that brought the child to the hospital that is traumatic, it may be the experience of procedures and tests and treatment once in the hospital that is perceived as traumatic. This thesis made use of a literature-based study, presented as a development of a Music Therapy Assessment of Child Trauma. Using three clinical vignettes of music therapy sessions by this researcher, trends were depicted in the child's use of story song, behaviors playing the instruments, and interactions with his or her environment as being indicative of trauma. From those findings, this thesis proposes a stance of the therapist that places a high value on metaphoric language and behavior of a child. From these productions, the therapist develops a deliberate way of listening, watching, sensing, and exploring all aspects of the metaphorical experiences of the child. More specifically this thesis encourages the therapist to become oriented to assessing the presence of trauma in pediatric medical patients based upon music therapy and metaphor.
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Details
- Title
- A theoretical approach of assessing the presence of trauma in pediatric medical patients using music therapy and metaphor
- Creators
- Karinne' M. Hovnanian - DU
- Contributors
- Paul Nolan (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 3625; 991014632166504721