Exploring the Self Through Songwriting: An Analysis of Songs Composed by People With Acquired Neurodisability in an Inpatient Rehabilitation Program

Journal

Journal of Music Therapy

Year

2017

Abstract

Background: Neurological trauma is associated with significant damage to people’s pre-injury self-concept. Therapeutic songwriting has been linked with changes in self-concept and improved psychological well-being. Objective: This study analyzed the lyrics of songs composed by inpatients with neurological injuries who participated in a targeted songwriting program. The aim of this study was to understand which of the subdomains of the self-concept were the most frequently expressed in songs. Methods: An independent, deductive content analysis of 36 songs composed by 12 adults with spinal cord injury or brain injury (11 males, mean age 41 years +/– 13) were undertaken by authors 1 and 2. Results: Deductive analysis indicated that when writing about the past self, people created songs that reflected a strong focus on family and descriptions of their personality. In contrast, there is a clear preoccupation with the physical self, on the personal self, and a tendency for spiritual and moral reflections to emerge during the active phase of rehabilitation (song about the present self). Statistical analyses confirmed a significant self-concept subdomain by song interaction, F(10, 110) = 5.98, p < .001, η p 2 = .35), which was primarily due to an increased focus on physical self-concept and a reduced focus on family self-concept in the present song, more than in either past or future songs. Conclusions: The analysis process confirmed that songwriting is a vehicle that allows for exploration of self-concept in individuals with neurological impairments. Songwriting may serve as a therapeutic tool to target the most prevalent areas of self-concept challenges for clients undergoing inpatient neurological rehabilitation programs.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Coping; Music Interventions; Self-Concept; Songwriting; Traumatic Brain Injury; Wellness and Well-Being ((Outcome))

Indexed Terms

Rehabilitation; Songwriting; Traumatic brain injury; Self esteem; Self-concept; brain injury; spinal cord injury; adjustment to disability; Patient; Spinal cord injuries

Study Type

Quasi-Experimental Study; Quantitative Methods

Document Type

Article

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