Type of Document	Thesis
Author	Ferguson, Rachel Mitchell
Author's Email Address	rmsoprano9@earthlink.net
URN	etd-08222006-231902
Title	The Effect of Music Therapy Songwriting on the Identification and Utilization of Short-Term Coping Strategies by Caregivers of Loved Ones with Alzheimer's Disease
Degree	Master of Music
Department	Music, College of
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Alice-Ann Darrow Committee Chair Dianne Gregor Committee Member Jayne Standley Committee Member
Keywords	Coping Alzheimer's Disease Songwriting Music Therapy
Date of Defense	2006-08-22
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract The purpose of present study was to examine the effect of a music therapy songwriting intervention on the identification and utilization of short-term coping strategies by caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease. Participants were referred by social workers at the Alzheimer’s Project of Tallahassee, and then randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. Participants in both groups received individual music therapy sessions. The control group (N=12) received music therapy/counseling sessions, and the experimental group (N=12) received music therapy sessions during which individualized songs were composed and recorded for participants. Participants were pre- and posttested using the Short-Term Coping Strategies Questionnaire. Pre- to posttest data indicated that both groups were able to identify and utilize more coping strategies at the posttest, although participants in the experimental group were able to identify and reported utilizing significantly more coping strategies pre- to posttest. However, when control and experimental group data were compared, there was no significant difference between the two groups’ identification and utilization of coping strategies. In addition to the Short-Term Coping Strategies Questionnaire, participants in the experimental group completed the Music Therapy Songwriting Questionnaire. Data from this Questionnaire indicated that participants listened to their songs at least “once,” and reviewed the lyrics to their songs “more than once” during a week period. Results of the present study indicate that individualized songwriting has promise as a useful music therapy intervention for individuals who are dealing with the stress of caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease.
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