Derrington 2012 thesis.pdf - Anglia Ruskin Research Online

De Backer (1993), in his account of music therapy work with an ego-weak
adolescent, explains the importance of containment as a basic requirement in the
therapeutic relationship. The boy demonstrates chaotic and alarming feelings through
play and musical improvisation, projecting them onto the therapist, who in turn
‘enables him to bear what seem uncontainable feelings’ (p.35). By empathically
accompanying the boy, the therapist enables him to connect to his ‘world of
experiences’ (p.38) without using words, and the child feels supported and can
acknowledge that his feelings were not too overwhelming for the therapist and can be
survived. ‘Music offers the advantage that the patient need not be alone in his chaotic
expression and experience’ (ibid. p.36).
2.3.3 Research projects
Some music therapy studies show that using music as an intervention can be of great
value for those who have difficulties with self-control, thinking, responding
appropriately and social interaction (Stratton and Zalanowski,1989; Friedlander,
1994). Teenagers’ lives can be ‘centred on music’ (Hendricks et al.,1999) so it is
strongly indicated that music therapy with these students would have highly
successful outcomes. A study by Montello and Coons (1999) supports this notion.
Their research showed that students who were experiencing severe obstacles in
forming relationships with others and their environment began to show evidence of
improved self-worth and self-esteem as a result of making live music. The Australian
music therapy programme ‘Sing and Grow’ (Abad and Williams, 2006), for
adolescent mothers and children, developed into a nationwide service following
parental feedback and documentation of successful outcomes, but needs to be
systematically evaluated.
A small randomised control trial, led by Albornoz (2011), hypothesised that the
effects of group improvisational music therapy would relieve depressive symptoms in
adolescents who were receiving treatment for substance abuse. One of the scales used
in the study was the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (Hamilton, 1960). It
showed substantial differences in the scores of participants who had had music
therapy compared to those who had only received regular treatment, and thus showed
that music therapy did have a clinically significant effect.
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