The Impact of Music as a Therapy for Depression
CHAPTER ONE
Objective Of The Study
The overall aim of this study is to critically examine the impact of music as a therapy for depression. Hence, the study will be channeled to the following specific objectives;
- Examine the symptoms of depression
- Find out the factors that lead to depression.
- Determine the extent to which music therapy reduces the severity of depression alongside other pharmacological therapies
- Ascertain whether music has a significant impact as a therapy for depression.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
Precisely, the chapter will be considered in three sub-headings:
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Depression
This seems to be due to multiple factors interacting with each other ranging from biological, psychological and social factors. The risk of having depressive disorder is increased with having a first-degree relative with similar disorder .5 In twin studies the concordance rate for Depressive disorder is 46% for monozygotic twins and 20% for dizygotic twins implying an underlying genetic influence of having this disorder .5 There is good evidence that abnormal monoamine (noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine) function is responsible for the development of depressive disorder .5 Certain brain structural and functional abnormalities have been implicated along with endocrine and immune system abnormalities .5 Significant life events such as negative experiences during childhood and ongoing difficulties are of aetiological importance in the development of depressive disorder; particularly events that are perceived as difficult, humiliating, disempowering and/or isolating .30,31 Research has also identified a number of protective factors which serve to reduce the risk of depressive disorder or promote recovery .30 Prominent among these protective factors are the quality of supportive social networks in reducing risk, and the importance of fresh-start events, such as beginning a new job after a long period of unemployment. In addition, events that seem to embody a promise of new hope against a background of deprivation also promote recovery .30
Generalized anxiety disorder
Gelder5 stated that in general terms, generalized anxiety disorders appears to be caused by stressors acting on a personality predisposed by a combination of genetic factors and environmental influences in childhood. Generalized anxiety disorder tends to occur more commonly among those who have a first degree relative with generalized anxiety disorder. Slater32 showed a higher concordance for anxiety disorder between monozygotic than dizygotic pairs though this study failed to distinguish between the different types of anxiety disorders.
Functional scanning of the brain has shown increased cortical activity and decreased basal ganglia activity in patients with generalized anxiety disorder however the functional significance of these findings remain unclear .5 Areas in the brain such as amygdala, hippocampus and thalamus have all been implicated to play important roles in the regulation of anxiety and breakdown in function in these areas may be responsible for the development of generalized anxiety disorder. Neurotransmitters derangement and their related receptors such as serotonin and Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) have all been implicated as possible aetiological factors responsible for the development of generalized anxiety disorder .5 Clinical observations indicate that generalized anxiety disorder usually begins in relation to stressful events, and some become chronic when those stressful challenges persist .5 In the study by Fin-lay Jones33 they observed that stressful life events are particularly associated with anxiety disorder .5 Brown34 in their study showed that early adverse childhood experience was associated with increased rates of generalized anxiety disorder. In the epidemiological catchment area study done by Blazer35, men who reported four or more stressful life events in the preceding year were eight times more likely to meet DSM-IIIR criteria for generalized anxiety disorder than were men reporting three or fewer such events in that period.
Depression, Socio-Demographics and Chronic Medical Conditions
Socio-demographics have been found to be associated with depression. These include Gender [11] [12], Employment [13], Education [4] [14], and Age [15]. Many studies have also reported increased prevalence of depression among patients with chronic medical conditions like Diabetes, Hypertension, Asthma, Sickle cell disease, Cardiac diseases, Chronic Respiratory Diseases, and Rheumatoid arthritis [16].
Gender and Depression
Most studies found clear gender differences in the prevalence of depressive disorders. Bebbington and NolenHoesksema in two separate studies reported that women have a prevalence rate for depression up to twice that of men [11] [12]. This is true whether depression is indexed as a diagnosed mental disorder or as subclinical symptoms. The reason for this gender differences is not entirely clear [17]. However researchers believed could be accounted by such factors like trauma, victimization (sexual abuse), role overload (caring for children and elderly), poverty etc. [11]. Even when women and men are confronted with similar stressors, women may be more vulnerable than men to developing depression [11]. Women’s greater reactivity to stress compared to men has been attributed to gender differences in biological responses, self-concept, and coping styles [11].
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
Research Design
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e. mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
Population of the Study
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals, as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried out to examine the impact of music as a therapy for depression using some selected primary health care centers in Ikoyi, Lagos State as a case study. Hence, the population of the study comprises of health workers in the two selected primary healthcare centers in Ikoyi, Lagos State.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of fifty-seven(57) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which fifty fifty (55) were returned while 50 were validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 50 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Introduction
This chapter summarizes the findings on the impact of music as a therapy for depression using some selected primary healthcare centers in Ikoyi, Lagos State as a case study. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.
Summary of the Study
In this study, our focus was on the impact of music as a therapy for depression using some selected primary healthcare centers in Ikoyi, Lagos State as a case study. The study is was specifically carried out to examine the symptoms of depression, find out the factors that leads to depression, determine the extent music therapy reduce the severity of depression alongside with other pharmacological therapies, and ascertain whether music have a significant impact as a therapy for depression.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 50 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent were health workers in the selected primary healthcare centers in Ikoyi, Lagos State.
Conclusions
Based on the findings of this study, the researcher concluded that;
- The symptoms of depression include; feeling of worthlessness, poor concentration, feeling of sadness, angry outburst, loss of interest or pleasure anxiety, agitation and restlessness.
- The factors that leads to depression include: loneliness alcohol, drugs illness, low self esteem, and stressful events.
- Music therapy reduces the severity of depression alongside with other pharmacological therapies.
- Music have a significant impact as a therapy for depression.
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the responses obtained, the researcher proffers the following recommendations:
- The masses should be enlightened on the need topractice and administer music therapy in home setting.
- Prevalence of depression among general outpatients is very high therefore use of screening instrument like PHQ2 for depression at general outpatient department with the aim of improving its identification and treatment should be encouraged.
- Task-sharing strategy as enshrined in mental health gap (mhGAP) document should be implemented to improve detection of depression at primary care level.
REFERENCE
- Ashida, S. (2007). The Effect of Music Therapy Sessions on Changes in Depressive Symptoms in Elderly Persons with Dementia, Journal of Music Therapy, 37 (3), 170-182.
- Ball, Philip 2010. The Music Instinct, London: Bodley Head
- Barrett, H. Clark and Kurzban, Robert 2006. “Modularity in Cognition: Framing the Debate,” Psychological Review, 113: 628–47.
- Brown, Steven 2000. “The ‘Musilanguage’ Model of Music Evolution,” in The Origins of Music, edited by N. L. Wallin, B. Merker and S. Brown, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 271–300.
- Chan, M. (2009). Effect of Music on Depression Levels and Physiological Responses in Community-Based Older Adults, International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 18 (4), 285-294.
- Chan, M. (2010). Effects of Music on Depression and Sleep Quality in Elderly people: A Randomised Controlled Trial, Complement Therapy Medicine, 18 (3), 150-155.
- Choi, A. (2008). Effects of Group Music Intervention on Depression, Anxiety, and relationships in Psychiatric Patients: A Pilot Study, Journal of Alternative Complementary Med, 14 (5), 567-570.
- Chou, M. (2008). Exploring the Listening Experiences during Guided Imagery and Music Therapy of Outpatients with Depression, Journal of Nursing Research, 14 (2), 93-102.
- Craig, D. (2009) .Depression Statistics | Statistics on Depression. Combat Depression | Clinical Depression Symptoms. Retrieved February 1, 2011, from http://www.combatdepression.net/depression_statistics.html
