The potential of music-based interventions as a component of social rehabilitation

Abstrakt

Starting point: We draw upon several authors who argue that music therapy, as a non-pharmacological intervention, has the potential to improve quality of life and alleviate certain chronic conditions among clients in social service facilities (e.g., Gerlichová, 2021; González-Ojea, Domínguez-Lloria, & Pino-Juste, 2022, among others). In our pilot study, the research problem is focused on how music-based interventions are utilized as part of social rehabilitation in selected social service institutions.

Group: We employed a simple, purposive, and convenient sampling strategy, selecting facilities from Žilina, Považská Bystrica, and Bytča. Our research sample consisted of four social service facilities in Bytča, with facilitators who incorporate music-based interventions into the social rehabilitation process. In each of these four facilities, one professional implemented music-based interventions as part of the social rehabilitation process. The facilitators acted as social rehabilitation instructors, held university degrees in social work, and possessed only supplementary short-term training and self-directed study in the field of music therapy.

Methods: The study employed a qualitative research design grounded in the methodology of grounded theory. Data collection methods included participatory, intentional observation (using an analytical observation scheme) and semi-structured interviews (transcribed). For data analysis, we examined observation records, analytical observation schemes, and written responses from the participants. Open, axial, and selective coding was applied, with the overall analysis guided by the principles of grounded theory. Results: Music-based interventions were employed within social rehabilitation as a supportive method in group settings, conducted by social rehabilitation instructors without formal music therapy qualifications. Both active and receptive techniques were used. The primary aims within social rehabilitation were to support cognitive functions, language and motor skills, socialization, emotional experience, and empathy. In practice, music-based interventions in social service facilities were positioned more as leisure-time activities rather than as professional therapeutic interventions. Nevertheless, clients responded positively and engaged actively.

Conclusions: We found that music-based interventions can be an effective component of social rehabilitation. However, their greater systematic integration, higher facilitator qualifications, improved structural conditions, and broader acceptance within social service facilities are required.