Date of Award

9-2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

College/School

College of the Arts

Department/Program

John J. Cali School of Music

Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair

Karen Goodman

Committee Member

David Witten

Committee Member

Ting Ho

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present multiple case studies of three individuals between the ages of 19 and 31, living in the New York City area and participating in a music therapy group for Korean exchange students experiencing Adjustment Disorder in the United States. The study provides an in depth discussion of the group music therapy process, which took place over nine one hour sessions held at Montclair State University. The case study is preceded by an extensive literature review describing the needs of the population, the lack of music therapy interventions and/or models with this population, and related questions or concerns.

The case studies themselves provide the reader with detailed information on each client7s background, and a rationale for therapy methods which included music improvisation, active music listening (pop songs and their favorite songs), song writing, singing along, rehearsal, and verbal processing. This is followed by an in-depth discussion of the music therapy process.

Based on the analysis of the participants’ self reports, and video or audio taped data for each session, the case study analysis concludes that participants showed significant changes in their depressed emotions, negative thoughts and behaviors in order to adjust better to their society in the U.S.A. All participants reported most of the interventions to be enriching and helpful, and the series of session to be positive experiences, therefore suggesting that active group music therapy may be an effective intervention for the Korean population experiencing adjustment disorder, depression or other psychological issues in the United States.

File Format

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