An investigation of the sociocultural factors impacting on the therapeutic songwriting process

Abstract

This study explores the sociocultural factors that impact on the therapeutic songwriting process as perceived by 45 expert music therapy clinicians and researchers. Drawing on grounded theory methods, interviews with participants were analysed and coded. Constant comparisons of data within and between participant interviews led to the construction of 26 categories and further aligned under seven factors: music's diverse roles in different sociocultural groups; music therapist's knowledge of and skills in playing multicultural music; sociocultural diversity of group members; language barriers; social diversity and the therapeutic relationship; religious beliefs; and gender, generational issue..