Polyphonic perspectives: a focus group study of interprofessional staff’s perceptions of music therapy at an inpatient unit for children in mental health care

ABSTRACT

Purpose

In an inpatient unit for children in mental health care, a variety of services are provided through interprofessional collaborations. Music therapy is a relatively recent proposition in this context, but there is increasing acceptance for music therapy as a therapeutic method. However, there is limited knowledge about music therapy in this field, and this study aims to address this research gap.

Method

Through focus group interviews with staff at an inpatient unit in mental health care for children, this article explores interprofessional perspectives of music therapy. A thematic analysis with an inductive approach informed by constructivist grounded theory was used in the analysis of the interviews.

Findings

Several dimensions were involved in the findings, concerning the children and the interprofessional collaboration. The two main categories that emerged were: “What music therapy offers the children” and “What music therapy contributes to the interprofessional understanding of the children”.

Conclusion

The interprofessional perspectives of music therapy revealed potentials for emotion regulation, and experience of identity and freedom for the children. As part of the integrated services, music therapy provided a new perspective of the child and enhanced relationship between the child and the health services.

KEYWORDS:

• Music Therapy
• Children
• Mental health care
• Interprofessional perspectives
• Focus group interviews

Acknowledgments

We would like to express our gratitude to the staff at the children’s unit at Haukeland university hospital for your valuable contributions and participation. A special thanks to Anita Barsnes for your contribution to the music therapy processes.

We would also like to thank all the children for your participation in the music therapy.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

There is a risk that the data set may violate protection of the participants’ confidentiality.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1. In Norway, music therapy is provided by music therapists with a master’s degree.

2. The first author was a music therapist at this particular unit for several years. In this study, both Anita Barsnes and the first author had the role as music therapists at the unit.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Guro Parr Klyve

Guro Parr Klyve is a PhD candidate at The Grieg Academy – Department of Music at the University of Bergen, Norway, affiliated with GAMUT – The Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre. She is a music therapist and has had her clinical practice at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health at Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen for several years.

Randi Rolvsjord

Randi Rolvsjord is a professor in music therapy and head of department at the Grieg Academy – Department of music, University of Bergen. She holds a PhD from Aalborg University. Her research and publications include resource-oriented perspectives on music therapy in mental health, user- involvement and feminist perspectives.

Irene Bircow Elgen

Irene Elgen is a professor in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Bergen. She is a senior doctor at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health at Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen for several years. Her research and publications include risk factors for mental health challenges, aspects of mental health services.