title: The perceived effects of singing on the health and well-being of wives and partners of members of the British Armed Forces: a cross-sectional survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A survey to explore the extent to which a choir programme associated with the British Armed Forces provides benefits of wives and partners and families of military personnel.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Online self-completion questionnaires to survey 464 choir members and 173 committee members who were also participants in the choirs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Large majorities of participants report personal and social benefits from their engagement in choirs, as well as benefits for their health and well-being. Challenges facing choirs were also identified associated with performance demands and inter-personal relationships within choirs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Group singing generates a range of personal, social and health benefits for wives and partners of armed services personnel. The study reveals some challenges arising in all-female choirs in military settings and suggests potential areas for further research.
authors.affiliation: Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health, Canterbury Christ Church University, The Block, 69 Tontine Street, Folkestone, Kent CT20 1JR, UK. Electronic address: s.clift@btinternet.com.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Clift
authors.affiliation: Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health, Canterbury Christ Church University, The Block, 69 Tontine Street, Folkestone, Kent CT20 1JR, UK. Electronic address: sonia.page@canterbury.ac.uk.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Page
authors.affiliation: Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health, Canterbury Christ Church University, The Block, 69 Tontine Street, Folkestone, Kent CT20 1JR, UK. Electronic address: norma.daykin@winchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Daykin
authors.affiliation: Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health, Canterbury Christ Church University, The Block, 69 Tontine Street, Folkestone, Kent CT20 1JR, UK. Electronic address: emily.peasgood@canterbury.ac.uk.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Peasgood
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D015397:Program Evaluation; D063346:Singing; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Military lifestyle; Singing; Well-being