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Adjusting to Change Through Song: Themes in Songs Written by Clients With Traumatic Brain Injury

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Felicity Baker*
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, Australia.
Jeanette Kennelly
Affiliation:
Queensland Paediatric Rehabilitation Service, Australia.
Jeanette Tamplin
Affiliation:
Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
*
Address for correspondence: Felicity Baker, Head of Music Therapy Training, The University of Queensland, Staffhouse Rd, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

The study aimed to identify themes in songs written by clients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Lyrics (1834) from 82 songs written by 11 female and 21 male clients aged between 5 and 60 years were categorised into 8 main themes and 24 subcategories. Incidence of subcategories and themes were calculated. Self-reflections and messages were the most frequent themes portrayed within songs. Memories and reflections about significant others were also frequently communicated. It was noticeable that clients felt safer to communicate thoughts and feelings about the past and present but were less inclined to confront the future.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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