Effects of an Online Ukulele Workshop Series on Sense of Community, Social Support, and Arts Engagement in Veterans, Service Members, and Families

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of arts engagement during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic via virtual delivery of music workshops for military-connected people. Twenty participants completed an online survey before and after participation that included two validated surveys measuring sense of community and social support, ten questions assessing motivators for participation, and open-ended ethnographic qualitative questions examining intended and fulfilled participation goals. Despite the social distancing challenges of COVID-19, our participants’ sense of community and social support did not decline over time, likely because of their engagement in the workshops. Participants’ achieved goals included learning how to play the ukulele, songs, joining with others and making connections, praising the leaders and community, and feeling that their voice was incorporated in the workshops

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