Music Therapy in the Bereavement of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Feasibility Study

ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Jessica Newsome Hoyle (Creator)
Institution
Appalachian State University (ASU )
Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
Advisor
Cathy McKinney

Abstract: This study explored the effect of music therapy on the issues associated with the bereavement in 3 adults with intellectual disability (ID). Adapted from the work of Hilliard (2007), it employed a 9-week group music therapy protocol designed to educate individuals about death and how to deal with feelings that arise when a loved one dies. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale for Developmental Disabilities (BPRS-DD; Bodfish, 1995) was administered at weeks 1, 9, and 13 to assess any behavioral changes as observed by staff psychologists. Following the series of music therapy sessions, 1 of the 3 individuals exhibited a reduced level of negative behaviors, as measured by the BPRS-DD, which was maintained through the follow-up measure. The other 2 participants’ BPRS-DD scores remained static. Of the 3 participants, 2 demonstrated improved social skills in the group music therapy.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Hoyle, J.N. (2010). Music Therapy in the Bereavement of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Feasibility Study. Unpublished master’s thesis. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
Language: English
Date: 2010
Keywords
Music therapy, Intellectual disability, Bereavement

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