Graduation Term

2024

Degree Name

Master of Music (MM)

Department

School of Music

Committee Chair

Andrea Crimmins

Abstract

Background: Children who are adopted may face greater difficulty in developing secure attachment with their adoptive parents. Music therapy is one treatment method that could be used to improve relationships between adopted children and their adoptive parents.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the use of music therapy to improve relationships and increase bonding and connectedness between adopted children and their adoptive parents. Four research questions were addressed in this study: (1) How can music therapy improve the relationship between adopted children and their adoptive parents? (2) What is the frequency of behavioral indicators of bonding and connectedness (eye contact, initiation of interaction, smiling, laughing, physical touch) between adopted children and their adoptive parents during music therapy sessions? (3) What are the adoptive parents’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the music therapy session experience? (4) What are the music therapy techniques and specific interventions used? Method: Three families consisting of one adopted child and at least one adoptive parent participated in five individualized music therapy sessions over the course of three weeks. Each session was visually and aurally recorded, and observational data was recorded tracking each child’s frequency of initiating eye contact, interaction, smiling, laughing and physical touch with their parent. Additionally, parents were asked to fill out a survey pre- and post-study as well as after each music therapy session regarding their perception of their relationship with their child and the effectiveness of the music therapy session in promoting bonding and connectedness. Results: Each child yielded differing results in regard to their observed behaviors, though the number of desired behaviors (behaviors that indicate bonding and connectedness) far outweighed the undesired (behaviors such as low mood, distress, or contrary behavior). Parents felt music therapy sessions were beneficial to their relationship with their child in both promoting a greater connection and in experiencing joy in relating to their child during the sessions. Conclusions: Music therapy promoted the development of desired behaviors in the adopted children that may contribute to further bonding and connection with their adoptive parents. Parents perceived that music therapy sessions allowed them to observe their children exploring and engaging in new activities, which increased their perception of connection with their children.

Access Type

Thesis-Open Access

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2025.20250703070414920113.1000000

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