Meaning Making Process and Recovery Journeys Explored Through Songwriting in Early Neurorehabilitation: Exploring the Perspectives of Participants of Their Self-Composed Songs Through the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Abstract

Objectives: This pilot study examined how 15 participants in early rehabilitation described their self-composed Songs 6- to 12-months following participation in a 6-week identity-focused songwriting program. Specific focus was given to the process of meaning making and identity reconstruction in the participants’ self-composed songs.Methods: Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews (n = 15) and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings were developed idiographically as super-ordinate themes unique to each participant, then analyzed across cases to identify recurrent themes and subthemes.Results: Participants described the songwriting process as taking them through one of four distinct recovery journeys described by individuals following acquired neurodisability who underwent a focused therapeutic songwriting program. These included (1) re-conceptualizing values and shifting perspectives about self (my body is broken but my mind has been set free); (2) recognizing acquired inner resources to negotiate discrepancies in self (hope is there); (3) confirming existing values and identifying resources and coping strategies (I have what I need to move forward); (4) confirming previously held values and ongoing process of negotiating discrepancies in self (I don’t yet have the answers).Conclusion: The current study provides insight into the nature and process of meaning making and recovery journeys perceived by individuals with neurodisability. Our findings suggest that songwriting could be a therapeutic tool to facilitate identity reconstruction in neurorehabilitation.

A therapeutic songwriting intervention to promote reconstruction of self-concept and enhance well-being following brain or spinal cord injury: pilot randomized controlled trial

“…Details of the participants’ journeys, and the areas of the subdomains focused on in the lyrics are detailed elsewhere. 11,25…”

“…Details of the participants' journeys, and the areas of the subdomains focused on in the lyrics are detailed elsewhere. 11,25 The programme was delivered in a therapy room at the rehabilitation sites (in-patients) or in the participants' homes (community-dwelling) at a mutually convenient time. The music was created using the GarageBand iPad application and participants had direct input into the shaping of both lyrics and music.…”

Artwork from military personnel, Veterans, and their family members

“…There are widely reported benefits of music-making for mental health, well-being and mood for those with an acquired brain injury (755,756). Additionally, song-writing can improve self-concept and well-being in hospital rehabilitation, as well as developing a sense of hope and coping strategies (757)(758)(759). Arts activities improved communication skills, social participation and goal-setting in adolescents and children with acquired brain injuries and improved social skills and social participation in adolescents with brain disorder (708,760).…”

A gender-sensitive intervention in jail: A study of Italian men convicted of assaulting women or femicide

“…Art therapy's roots only go back to recent decades, but broad evidence for its therapeutic potential is already available (Maujean, Pepping, & Kendall, 2014;Schweizer, Knorth, & Spreen, 2014). Several types of creative art therapies have been developed, though the most common are dance-movement therapy, music therapy, drama therapy and psychodrama, art therapy and film therapy (Koch et al, 2019;Shafir et al, 2020), which provide cognitive, social and psychoemotional benefits and promote identity reconstruction in neuro-rehabilitation (Baker, New, Ponsford, Roddy, & Lee, 2018;Clark, Tamplin, & Baker, 2018). Psychodrama and drama therapy can be used in a variety of contexts, from educational to clinical and psychiatric, as well as in gender violence interventions (Bucut ¸ȃ, Dima, & Testoni, 2018;Gonzalez, Martins, & de Lima, 2018;Ron, 2018;Testoni, Cecchini et al, 2018).…”