| Contents |
Introduction -- Review of literature. Deinstitutionalization ; Mental health services in nursing homes ; Assisted living and nursing homes ; Problems in mixed community settings ; Rationale for music as therapy ; Conclusion -- Method. Subjects ; Setting ; Procedure ; Music therapy sessions -- Results. Subjects ; Hypotheses -- Discussion. Social and music interaction ; Subject mood rating ; Limitations and recommendations -- Appendices. |
| Summary |
The purpose of this study is to investigate the value of music therapy for psychiatric residents in an assisted living setting to improve socialization, communication and leisure skills for a better quality of life. Fifteen adult residents with mental illness (three males and 12 females ranging in age from 35 to 65) from an assisted living facility in eastern North Carolina participated in a total of eight music therapy sessions. The qualitative design sought to gather data on multiple variables by self report, and staff and researcher measurements. Data collection tools were created by the researcher to measure mood, social and music engagement and enjoyment before and after each session and before and after the eight-week program. There were thirteen subjects whose data sets were complete for the eight-week program. Statistical analyses included a Spearman Correlation and Two-Paired Samples t-test. A Spearman Correlation was performed to examine the relationship between the number of sessions attended and the improvement observed. A Two-Paired Samples t-test was conducted to determine if there were statistically significant differences in subjects' social and music interaction. This study revealed that there were observed and reported benefits as well as a statistically significant beneficial difference in subjects' social and music engagement after the eight-week program. It also revealed the positive correlation between attendance and observed improvement; the more sessions attended the more satisfaction was reported. The results indicated that the use of music therapy improved the quality of life for psychiatric residents in an assisted living facility. |
| General note | Presented to the faculty of the School of Music. |
| Dissertation note | M.M. East Carolina University 2007. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves [53]-61). |
