• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.15-31
• /
• 2005

Terminal pediatric patient include congenital metabolic abnormalities, chromosome aberrations, congenital anomalies, neuromuscular diseases and other incurable conditions as well as malignant tumors. One third of these diseases are cancers, and two thirds of cancers are lymphadenoma and leukemia. Terminal pediatric patient may feel fear, anger and frustration against treatment process in hospitals, lose control of themselves and stay in helplessness due to restrictions within controlled hospital environment. This study examined the relationship between hospitalized childrens behavior and music using Contextual Support Model of Music Therapya theory stating therapeutic music environments possess three elements of Structure, Autonomy support and Involvement, and increase childrens active engagement. Focused on these three therapeutic elements, this study analyzed music therapy cases of terminally ill children to examine the relationship between childrens behavior and music as environmental supportive medium in the environment. This study is on a single case case subject, a 10-year-old girl with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Nine sessions of music therapy activities were conducted and analyzed using qualitative method. Focusing on three therapeutic elements of Contextual Support Model, analysis of sessions was made on the basis of activities specifically designed for this study. Main music therapy activities included singing while playing musical instruments, singing while listening to music through CD player, making up songs, and searching for song lines. The findings of this study are as follows: a) in terms of Structure, music therapy suggested a direction for effective musical activities for terminally ill children by providing environments where child can sing, play musical instruments and make up songs; b) in terms of Autonomy support, music therapy encouraged childs voluntary participation by giving her chances to make choice while singing or playing musical instruments; c) in terms of Involvement, child could gain positive approval of the therapist and conduct musical activities in cooperation with the therapist. Music therapy serves as supportive medium in the environment, develops spontaneity and self-reliance in emotionally depressed children, and promotes voluntary attitudes in the restricted hospital environment. Based on the positive effects of music therapy, more studies need to be conducted with an approach to more various terminal pediatric patients.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.27-51
• /
• 2019

This case study aimed to investigate changes in self-expression following participation in a rap making program with adolescent survivors of childhood cancer. The rap making program was constructed based on the contextual support music therapy model. Three adolescent survivors of childhood cancer participated in six 80-minute individual sessions. During the sessions, each participant engaged in the following tasks: song discussion, lyric creation, and rapping over a selected beat. At pre and posttest, the Self-Expression Scale was completed by participants. Their verbal expressions lyrics were observed during the sessions, and individual interviews with the participants were conducted at the completion of the program. The results demonstrated that the mean rating of the Self-Expression Scale increased after the rap making intervention. Analysis of the participants' verbal expressions and lyrics demonstrated that participants were experiencing difficulties adjusting to school that they wanted to resolve. Furthermore, the analysis of the interviews at posttest found that participants experienced positive changes in self-perception, self-expression, and expectations for their future, compared to the pretest when the participants expressed negative self-perceptions due to difficulties in interpersonal relationships at school and physical limitations. This indicates that rap making can be an effective resource for providing this population with the means to recognize positive attributes about themselves and improve self-expression.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.71-100
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of group music therapy program on alineation of adolescents from enmeshed or disengaged families. The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales III was administered to screen out subjects at a high school in Seoul. Based on the low scores, between 10 and 25, rated on the scale, 4 students were selected from 148 initial respondents. Subjects participated in group music therapy program for 7 weeks and a total of 14 music therapy sessions were provided for them. After the program, content analysis of the subjects' verbal and musical expressions observed during the program was conducted, with regard to the measures of the Student Alienation Scale. The results showed negative self-expression decreased while positive self-concepts increased. These results indicate that by providing the opportunity to experience group cohesiveness and group support, group music therapy program may effectively reduce alienation of adolescents from enmeshed or disengaged families.