Exploring music therapy and short-term intervention with four at-risk infant populations: establishing and enhancing bonding between the caregiver and infant

Abstract: This work explores the use of music with infants at risk of becoming developmentally disabled due to impairment of the parent (addiction, AIDS, etc.) or due to the young age of the mother. The intent of music therapy was to enhance bonding between infants and caregivers (parents and daycare employees). It includes four case studies: music therapy to prepare couples for childbirth and initial bonding activities following birth; music therapy to enhance the attitudes of pregnant adolescents toward their unborn child, music therapy to increase bonding between substance abuse mothers and their infants, and music therapy to increase bonding between daycare employees and infants during feeding. A variety of music activities were utilized with the various groups to initiate activities with the infant and to increase behaviors identified with bonding. All music sessions with all groups were videotaped and subsequently analyzed for frequency of parent/caregiver behaviors indicative of bonding: vocalizations, positive facial affect, proximity and physical stimulation, eye contact, and also analyzed for infant responses. Results showed music to be effective in promoting bonding behaviors with these populations.

Keyword(s): Infant, bonding, caregivers.

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