Reliability and validity of the meaningfulness of songwriting scale (MSS) with adults on acute psychiatric and detoxification units

Abstract

Background: Songwriting is an intervention with demonstrated clinical benefit for a range of clinical populations. Researchers argue that positive outcomes are in part the result of the meaningfulness of the creative process. However, no measure currently exists to quantify the extent of meaning derived from songwriting processes. Objective: To psychometrically evaluate the Meaningfulness of Songwriting Scale (MSS) as a measure of meaning of a therapeutic songwriting process. Method: 147 participants receiving short- Term mental health care (39 acute psychiatric care; 108 detoxification unit) were asked to complete the MSS and the Short State Flow Scale immediately following a songwriting mu..