Adjusting to Change Through Song: Themes in Songs Written by Clients With Traumatic Brain Injury

Journal

Brain Impairment

Year

2005

Abstract

The study aimed to identify themes in songs written by clients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Lyrics (1,834) from 82 songs written by 11 female and 21 male clients aged between 5 and 60 years were categorised into 8 main themes and 24 subcategories. Incidence of subcategories and themes were calculated. Self-reflections and messages were the most frequent themes portrayed within songs. Memories and reflections about significant others were also frequently communicated. It was noticeable that clients felt safer to communicate thoughts and feelings about the past and present but were less inclined to confront the future. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Music and Health Institute Terms

Composition; Receptive Music Methods; Song Communication; Songwriting; Subjective Measures; Traumatic Brain Injury

Indexed Terms

songs; traumatic brain injury; themes

Study Type

Descriptive Analysis; Qualitative Methods

Document Type

Article

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