The perceived effects of singing on the health and well-being of wives and partners of members of the British Armed Forces: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Objectives A survey to explore the extent to which a choir programme associated with the British Armed Forces provides benefits of wives and partners and families of military personnel. Study design A cross-sectional survey. Method Online self-completion questionnaires to survey 464 choir members and 173 committee members who were also participants in the choirs. Results Large majorities of participants report personal and social benefits from their engagement in choirs, as well as benefits for their health and wellbeing. Challenges facing choirs were also identified associated with performance demands and inter-personal relationships within choirs. Conclusions Group singing generates a range of personal, social and health benefits for wives and partners of armed services personnel. The study reveals some challenges arising in all female choirs in military settings and suggests potential areas for further research.

Exploring the perceived health benefits of singing in a choir: an international cross-sectional mixed-methods study

“…A novel questionnaire was developed and distributed by the first author, guided by the work of Clift and Hancox 19 and Clift et al 20 This survey was piloted with 10 choristers, qualitative feedback was assimilated by the researcher and revisions were made. The final questionnaire comprised of 28 statements that were categorised under four headings of physical, social, emotional and spiritual (see Supplementary Appendix B for breakdown).…”

“…9,10,22,32,33 Perceptions of singers themselves have been explored in a few studies, most notably an international study of 1,000 choristers and their perceptions of psychological wellbeing. 20,19,34 The largest study identified to date is by Clift et al who administered a large-scale, cross-national survey to assess choral singers' perceptions of the effects of singing in Australia, Germany and england. This sample consisted of 591 choral singers with an average age of 61 years.…”

“…The wellbeing benefit of singing in workplace and community choirs has also been explored. 8,19,20 A number of in-depth reports have been produced in recent years regarding singing and health – notably the Workplace Choir of the Year report, United Kingdom: 21 a major report on choral singing, wellbeing and health as well as a systematic mapping and review of non-clinical research on singing. 22,23 Staff choirs are recommended in several countries for workplace wellbeing and as a health promotion and social inclusion initiative.…”

Building community through song: The therapeutic hospice choir

“…It was formed in January 2013 by the hospice’s music therapist whose vision was to create a choir modeled on Gareth Malone’s work with the military wives’ choirs where “music and singing will help the women through a difficult time of worry and separation” (The Choir: Military Wives, (2018)). As Clift et al (2016; 93) have noted, “long and unpredictable duty hours together with periodic redeployments and the risk of injury or death, can have an impact on the psychological and physical wellbeing of family members” of those serving in the military. A parallel may be seen between the military wives’ feelings of an uncertain future, isolation, vulnerability, and reluctance to enjoy themselves while their husbands were on a tour of duty, and similar feelings, though for different reasons, felt by the families of children being cared for at the hospice.…”

“…Increasingly, government health reports refer to the need to build flourishing communities where individuals can feel a sense of belonging as an essential component of health (South, 2015). Qualitative and quantitative studies have demonstrated that being engaged in music activities, particularly singing in groups, can improve quality of life (Bailey and Davidson, 2003; Clift et al, 2008, 2010, 2016; Livesey et al, 2012; Tonneijck, Kinébanian and Josephsson, 2008)…”