Exploring the Efficacy of Music Therapy in Alleviating Depressive Symptoms among Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35335/psychologia.v2i3.39Keywords:
Music Therapy, Depressive Symptoms, Young Adults, Mental Health Intervention, Randomized Controlled TrialAbstract
This research investigates the efficacy of music therapy in reducing depressive symptoms among young adults, offering a comprehensive exploration of both quantitative and qualitative dimensions. Employing a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, participants aged 18 to 25 were randomly assigned to either a music therapy intervention group or a control group. Quantitative analyses, including t-tests and ANOVA, revealed a statistically significant reduction in depressive symptoms among the music therapy group. Qualitative insights highlighted themes of emotional expression, increased self-awareness, and a sense of connection. The findings underscore the therapeutic potential of music therapy, aligning with and enriching existing literature. Implications include the integration of music therapy into mental health programs, personalized interventions for young adults, and future research exploring individual factors and longitudinal effects.
References
Ameis, S. H., Lai, M.-C., Mulsant, B. H., & Szatmari, P. (2020). Coping, fostering resilience, and driving care innovation for autistic people and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Molecular Autism, 11, 1–9.
Arseneault, L. (2018). Annual research review: the persistent and pervasive impact of being bullied in childhood and adolescence: implications for policy and practice. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 59(4), 405–421.
Bonnie, R. J., & Stroud, C. (2017). Investing in the health and well-being of young adults.
Chan, M. F., Wong, Z. Y., & Thayala, N. V. (2011). The effectiveness of music listening in reducing depressive symptoms in adults: a systematic review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 19(6), 332–348.
Cuijpers, P., van Straten, A., Bohlmeijer, E., Hollon, S. D., & Andersson, G. (2010). The effects of psychotherapy for adult depression are overestimated: a meta-analysis of study quality and effect size. Psychological Medicine, 40(2), 211–223.
Eckersley, R. (2011). A new narrative of young people’s health and well-being. Journal of Youth Studies, 14(5), 627–638.
Erkkilä, J., Punkanen, M., Fachner, J., Ala-Ruona, E., Pöntiö, I., Tervaniemi, M., Vanhala, M., & Gold, C. (2011). Individual music therapy for depression: randomised controlled trial. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 199(2), 132–139.
Gustavson, D. E., Coleman, P. L., Iversen, J. R., Maes, H. H., Gordon, R. L., & Lense, M. D. (2021). Mental health and music engagement: review, framework, and guidelines for future studies. Translational Psychiatry, 11(1), 370.
Hatch, S. L., Harvey, S. B., & Maughan, B. (2010). A developmental-contextual approach to understanding mental health and well-being in early adulthood. Social Science & Medicine, 70(2), 261–268.
Horigian, V. E., Schmidt, R. D., & Feaster, D. J. (2021). Loneliness, mental health, and substance use among US young adults during COVID-19. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 53(1), 1–9.
King, C. R., Morgan, S. M., Firebaugh, C. M., Beeson, T., Legg, T. J., & Wardlow, R. (2021). Postpartum Depression: Far Reaching Impact and the Role of Empowerment. Open Journal of Depression, 10(2), 29–42.
Landis-Shack, N., Heinz, A. J., & Bonn-Miller, M. O. (2017). Music therapy for posttraumatic stress in adults: A theoretical review. Psychomusicology: Music, Mind, and Brain, 27(4), 334.
Langham, E. (2023). Creating space to grow: Exploring the concept of’safe space’through music therapy practice in a residential service for people with neurological disabilities. Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington.
Partesotti, E., Peñalba, A., & Manzolli, J. (2018). Digital instruments and their uses in music therapy. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 27(5), 399–418.
Pearson, C. (2023). Examining the Selected Effects of Musical Elements on Depressive Symptoms in Young Adults. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Perkins, R., Ascenso, S., Atkins, L., Fancourt, D., & Williamon, A. (2016). Making music for mental health: how group drumming mediates recovery. Psychology of Well-Being, 6, 1–17.
Rodwin, A. H., Shimizu, R., Travis Jr, R., James, K. J., Banya, M., & Munson, M. R. (2023). A systematic review of music-based interventions to improve treatment engagement and mental health outcomes for adolescents and young adults. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 40(4), 537–566.
Schulenberg, J. E., & Zarrett, N. R. (2006). Mental Health During Emerging Adulthood: Continuity and Discontinuity in Courses, Causes, and Functions.
Wood, D., Crapnell, T., Lau, L., Bennett, A., Lotstein, D., Ferris, M., & Kuo, A. (2018). Emerging adulthood as a critical stage in the life course. Handbook of Life Course Health Development, 123–143.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Anewa Kahewa, Christin Anastasya
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
