An Exploration of Creative Arts-Based Self-Care Practices among Music Therapy Students

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to develop a theory based on the experiences of music therapy students’ use of creative arts as a self-care practice. In addition, this study was intended to determine these students’ perception of self-care and the perceived differences between self-care practices among students and professionals. A grounded theory methodology (Strauss & Corbin, 1990) was utilized in order to analyze the data gained from semi-structured interviews. From this data, six themes emerged and a formal theory was developed. The main theory emphasizes the importance of incorporating access to and information regarding the utilization of creative arts as a self-care practice while studying in a music therapy program. The theory was developed from participants’ experiences engaging in creative arts self-care practices and the lack of advocacy each participant perceived from her music therapy program. These findings provide support for the benefits music therapy students may experience by learning to utilize creative arts self-care within their music therapy programs