Exploring group music therapy process and the effect of musical activities with children having social, emotional and behavioral concerns in an after-school setting

Abstract

Research have been proved that music therapy is an effective way to help children with social, emotional and behavioral concerns, however, the focus of children’s music therapy is mostly on the ones with special needs and disabilities in an individual setting. The following case study is aiming to explore suitable musical activities for group music therapy in an after-school setting, describe practical framework, as well as individual and group progress. The study was conducted as an action research and qualitative content analysis was used for analyzing the findings. Data collection was taken place at an elementary school located in Jyväskylä with 4 participants from Finland, aged 7-10 years. Participants attended a total of 17 sessions, 45 minutes length. Data consists audio-video recordings from sessions, assessment form, the researcher’s notes and questionnaires from parents and teachers. Findings suggest group music therapy can be beneficial for regulating behavior, enhancing emotional awareness and expressing emotions, as well as developing cognitive skills.