Group songwriting as a method for developing group cohesion for HIV-seropositive adult patients with depression

Journal/Book: J Music Therapy. 1997; 34: 8455 Colesville Rd, Ste 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Natl Assoc Music Therapy Inc. 46-67.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of group songwriting on the level of group cohesion in patients who are diagnosed with depression and are HIV-seropositive or have AIDS. In addition, the study was intended to take a closer look at clinical phenomena such as verbalization and expression of emotions, that music therapists typically witness within the treatment setting. Eighteen subjects were selected from persons who have a diagnosis of clinical depression in addition to being HIV-seropositive or having AIDS. The experiment consisted of three groups: (a) group songwriting, (b) group game playing, and (c) no treatment control, Subjects were allowed to volunteer for participation in the groups. A posttest only experimental design was used. In Condition 1, subjects participated in a session in which they wrote a song using emotion topics, In Condition 2, subjects participated in a game of Gay Monopoly(R). Following each activity, subjects completed a questionnaire meant to measure group cohesion. The control group simply filled out the questionnaire. A Kruskal-Wallis analysis consisted of taking the cohesion score for each group and comparing them for differences. Content analysis for music consisted of transcription and analysis of harmonic structure, as well as a lyric analysis of the song created by the songwriting group, Content analysis for language consisted of transcription of the sessions and counting the number of emotion words that were used in the songwriting and game playing condition. Study findings show that: (a) group cohesion scores were equivalent for all groups, (b) the number of emotion words used was greater for the songwriting condition than for the game playing condition, and (c) content analysis of the songwriting condition demonstrated evidence for the clinical usefulness of the treatment. An analysis of the lyrics and emotion words used in group songwriting revealed a focus on issues that was not present in group game playing. Results suggest that the group songwriting intervention was more effective in addressing treatment issues than game playing. Furthermore, the large number of emotion words used in group songwriting support Clark's (1993) cognitive conversation model of coping and Yalom's (1985) principles of group psychotherapy. The failure to find differences in group cohesion scores suggests that the same study should be replicated with a larger, randomly selected sample. The content analysis suggests measuring other outcomes of group songwriting such as perceived meaning and social support. More specific measures could look at the way songwriting targets treatment issues.

Note: Article Cordobes TK, MMT, Rmt, BC, 5641 Yale Blvd Ste 105, Dallas,TX 75206 USA

Keyword(s): SOCIAL SUPPORT; GROUP-PSYCHOTHERAPY; GAY MEN; AIDS; INFECTION; DISEASE; DISORDER; BEHAVIOR; DISTRESS; STRESS

Zurück | Weiter