An Exploration of Music Therapy as a Strength Based Treatment In Adolescents with Chronic Medical Conditions and Depressive Symptoms

This study explores music therapy with adolescents who have a chronic medical condition and also show depressive or dysphoric symptoms. There are many options, both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic, for treating these symptoms, but there is little research in the field of music therapy for addressing the specific needs of these adolescents.Using database searches, literature was complied and reviewed on topics including adolescent development, the effects of chronic medical conditions on adolescents, and current treatment options for this population, including psychopharmacology and various theories of psychotherapy including the creative artstherapies. Music therapy was defined and applicable literature was addressed. Using clinical vignettes, results showed improvement in mental, emotional, and interpersonal processes that occurred during the music therapy process for adolescents within an inpatient hospital setting. Such phenomena include the experience of pleasure and mastery, opportunities for healthy dissociation, restoration of self‐esteem through healthy narcissism, retreating resistance, identity development, opportunities for peak experiences and independence, and an investment in the music therapy process.From these results, it can be implied that music therapy can be a beneficial option for the treatment of depressive symptoms in adolescence with chronic medical conditions. The vignettes point to the effects of music therapy that seemed to restore, strengthen, or revitalize healthy psychological functions that may have become damaged or weakened due to the effects of the disease. Further research is uggested to continue the development of music therapy for this population.M.A., Creative Arts in Therapy -- Drexel University, 201