Participatory choral music as a means of engagement in a veterans' mental health and addiction treatment setting

Abstract

Background: the purpose of this study was to investigate how participation in a music-based performance and instruction program influenced the sense of engagement experienced by participants at a residential setting for at-risk veterans. Methods: semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants in a veterans' choir program conducted at the facility. Results: prominent themes that emerged from the interview included (1) the veterans' personal motivations for participating; (2) emotions associated with participation; and (3) perceptions of intragroup dynamics. Conclusions: primary conclusions drawn include: (1) opportunities to connect with others through shared interests may contribute to sense of engagement; (2) connections forged with other residents of the facility extended beyond relationships established in the choir through increased recognition associated with performances; and (3) the choir represented a diversion from pressing concerns and may have served as a means of facilitating adjustment to change at a measured pace.

Keywords::

• vocal music
• mental health
• substance abuse
• rehabilitation
• veterans

Disclosure statement

The first author is the recipient of grants which support the funding of the arts-based intervention that is the focus of this study. None of the other authors have any consultancies, employment, grants, fess and honoraria, patents, royalties or shares of ownership associated with the organization where the study was conducted.