Dissertation - World Federation of Music Therapy

As these findings are not consistent with Körlin and Wrangsjö’s results, it raises
important questions. How can QoL be positively influenced by an increase in
Comprehensibility, and why there is a difference between the two groups of
participants (cancer survivors vs. more or less psychologically ’functional’
volunteers), especially where the clients in the two studies seem to share the capacity
of working with egodystonic material, that may directly relate to the nature of the
BMGIM method, where most of the processing is done directly in and with the
imagery and less in the client-therapist relationship?
The difference at subscale level may reflect the different needs and problems of the
participants in the two studies. While the participants in the Swedish study seem to be
faced with gradually developed or existential problems without any shock factor, the
cancer survivors in this study have experienced multiple, concrete stressors (through
the stages of pre-diagnosis, diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment (survivorship),
from the onset with a shock-like effect due to the sudden and unexpected
confrontation with a life-threatening disease. The BMGIM experiences did not make
it more ‘meaningful’ (i.e. emotionally motivating) for the participants that their life
situation is forever deeply influenced by cancer, including the possibility of relapse.
However, the results indicate that the participants developed a broader comprehension
of their life situation, however difficult it may be, and that they have learned to
control aspects of it through music and imagery, as reflected in the core categories of
the interview analysis such as New perspectives, Enhanced hope etc. Therefore, the
results indicate that coping – primarily a more realistic and coherent attitude to life
with cancer – has been enhanced by BMGIM, thus contributing to an improvement of
life quality. The increase in imaging competence is also addressed in a discussion of
the role of will in section 9.2.3.2.
9.2.2 The efficacy of BMGIM as compared to other types of psychotherapy (or
treatment modalities)
A further source of data that can be considered within this discussion are the
participants’ comments on the issues related to “GIM compared to other types of
therapy or psychosocial support” from the qualitative interviews (see checklist, table
6.1), and was addressed by all six participants. Documentation can be found in the
interview transcripts (App. 6.4). All six participants said that they had experienced
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