Randomized Trial of Group Music Therapy With Chinese Prisoners: Impact on Anxiety, Depression, and Self-Esteem.
This study investigated the effects of group music therapy on improving anxiety, depression, and self-esteem in Chinese prisoners. Two-hundred male prisoners were randomly assigned to music therapy (n = 100) or standard care (n = 100). The music therapy had 20 sessions of group therapy compared with standard care. Anxiety (State and Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI]), depression (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]), and self-esteem (Texas Social Behavior Inventory [TSBI], Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory [RSI]) were measured by standardized scales at baseline, mid-program, and post-program. Data were analyzed based on the intention to treat principle. Compared with standard care, anxiety and depression in the music therapy condition decreased significantly at mid-test and post-test; self-esteem improved significantly at mid-test (TSBI) and at post-test (TSBI, RSI). Improvements were greater in younger participants (STAI-Trait, RSI) and/or in those with a lower level of education (STAI-State, STAI-Trait). Group music therapy seems to be effective in improving anxiety, depression, and self-esteem and was shown to be most beneficial for prisoners of younger age or with lower education level.
Aalborg University, Denmark xijing@hum.aau.dk.
Xi-Jing
XJ
Chen
Aalborg University, Denmark.
Niels
N
Hannibal
Uni Research, Bergen, Norway.
Christian
C
Gold
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D002681:China; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009147:Music Therapy; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012649:Self Concept; D055815:Young Adult
anxiety; depression; group music therapy; prisoners; self-esteem