The use of music therapy to influence the self-confidence and self-esteem of adolescents who are sexually abused

Journal/Book: Music Therapy Perspectives. 1991; 9: 73-81.

Abstract: Reviews research on sexual abuse and on music and self-esteem and describes a pilot study conducted to determine whether music therapy would significantly increase self-confidence and self-esteem in a support group for sexually abused adolescents. Two males and 9 females (aged 14-19 yrs) participated in the 12 weekly sessions. Three of these Ss also received music skills training. All Ss showed positive changes in self-confidence, based on their scores on the Adjective Checklist. There was no difference in the scores of those who received the additional skills training and those who did not. Results show that music was useful for stimulating verbalization and socialization, and it often provided a common starting place for discussion of personal issues. ABSTRACT 2: The issues and problems of adolescents who are sexually abused as well as music therapy interventions and strategies used to address these problems are presented. This information should be useful to music therapists for exploring an untapped job market as well as for those clinicians already working with victims of sexual abuse. It is hypothesized that the use of music therapy activities can increase the self-esteem and self-confidence of adolescents who have been sexually abused. A review of clinical and research literature is presented which addresses the use of music therapy with adolescents and its effectiveness for increasing self-esteem. Results from a pilot study are also presented.

Note: Using Smart Source Parsing music therapy; self esteem in support group; sexually abused 14 19 yr olds with vs without music skills training

Keyword(s): Music therapy; self esteem; sexual abuse; support groups; adolescence ; adulthood. music-therapy, self-esteem, adolescents, child-abuse, self-confidence, sexual-abuse.

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