Using music therapy as a resource for restoring healthy relationships with music during mental health recovery

Background: The role of music therapy in influencing positive mental health recovery is well documented. However, there is little research into the ways that people’s relationships with music can become complicated during periods of acute illness.Objective: The aim of this study was to better understand the processes that promote healthy relationships with music during mental health recovery in inpatient group music therapy and community group music contexts.Methods: This study used constructivist grounded theory methodology. Participants were interviewed about their experiences of inpatient group music therapy or community group music.Results: Participants reported using music therapy as a “resource” for restoring healthy emotional connections with music. Participants described using the conditions of the group context such as being with co-consumers who “understood”, singing “painful” songs together and getting support from a music therapist to re-engage positively with emotionally painful songs.Discuss

Constructivist grounded theory · Context (archaeology · Grounded theory · Mental health · Music therapy · Psychotherapist · Qualitative research · Singing · Sociology · Diverse Music Education Insights · Music Therapy and Health · Neuroscience and Music Perception · Psychology