Blues-based stigma songwriting with adults on an acute mental health inpatient unit: A cluster-randomized trial and reflection

Abstract

Self-stigma often functions as a treatment barrier for adults with mental health conditions and can hinder recovery. Blues-based stigma songwriting may constitute an empowering and engaging medium to educate people with mental health conditions about self-stigma, identify it as an oppressive social construct, and encourage treatments to augment the likelihood of recovery. The purpose of this cluster-randomized effectiveness study was to determine whether a single group music therapy songwriting intervention can impact self-stigma with adults on an acute mental health unit. Participants ( N = 131) were cluster-randomized to a single session of blues-based stigma songwriting or a control group. Experimental participants completed the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Inventory (ISMI) at posttest only while control participants completed the ISMI at pretest only. Although there were tendencies for the experimental group to have slightly lower mean self-stigma scores on the alienation, stereotype, discrimination, and resistance subscales as well as total self-stigma, there was no significant between-group difference. Mental health stigma is an important recovery-oriented construct and blues-based songwriting may constitute an empowering and engaging way to address this challenging topic. As educational interventions for stigma can lead to increases in self-stigma for adults with mental health conditions, larger treatment doses may be necessary to reduce it. Implications for clinical practice, limitations, and suggestions for future inquiry are provided.