Date of Award

Spring 5-16-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Tim Reagan

Abstract

This study examines how lyric analysis and songwriting can aid adolescents processing complex developmental traumas. The use of music, lyric analysis, and songwriting can provide a space for adolescents to express themselves and process their struggles they have encountered in their lives. Music, lyric analysis, and songwriting can also be used as a way for adolescents to build their self-identity and help them to make important life decisions. These concepts are all related to the attachment, self-regulation, and competency (ARC) model created by Blaustein & Kinniburgh in 2005. This model is used in treatment with children and adolescents who have experienced complex developmental traumas. Music, lyric analysis, and songwriting were also used in this study as a resource and resiliency tool for the participants. This study determined the effectiveness of using music, lyrics analysis and songwriting with adolescents who have experienced complex developmental trauma through a method designed and implemented with eight adolescent participants at a therapeutic residential school. It was found that the method was an effective intervention used with the adolescents to express themselves and form self- identities, while also talking about positive and negative relationships amongst each other in a group treatment setting.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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