Finding Our Voices, Singing Our Truths: Examining How Quality of Life Domains Manifested in a Singing Group for Autistic Adults

Laurel Young

doi:10.15845/voices.v20i2.2554

Abstract

A growing body of literature indicates that participation in singing groups has a range of health and wellbeing benefits for the general adult population and for various adult cohorts with specific challenges/needs. However, no research had been conducted on potential benefits of group singing for Autistic adults. Furthermore, the neurodiversity movement rejects a biomedical approach to autism and champions the need for supports that will empower individuals on the autism spectrum to participate in society on their own terms. This aligns well with community music therapy (CoMT) philosophy which maintains that all persons have a right to access and participate in music experiences that promote personal health and wellbeing as well as serve as an expression of individuality, culture, and community. Therefore, the present research investigated how quality of life (QoL) variables (considered as components/determinants of health and wellbeing) manifested for eight Autistic adults who participated in 12 group singing sessions. A mixed methods concurrent transformative design was used with priority given to qualitative data. Results illustrate how subdomains contained within overarching QoL domains of Being, Belonging, and Becoming were realized by the group participants. Limitations of the study as well as implications for practice and research are presented.

Highlights

A growing body of literature indicates that participation in singing groups has a range of health and wellbeing benefits for the general adult population and for various adult cohorts with specific challenges/needs
Paired samples t tests were used to compare group means on four Likert-Type scale questions that were completed by participants in the pre singing group interview and again in the post singing group interview
In addition to having selected vocal warm ups on the CD, participants were given a handout containing descriptions of various exercises that we used in the singing group in the event that they wanted to try these on their own. The purpose of this mixed methods exploratory research was to investigate how quality of life variables might manifest for eight Autistic adults who participated in a limited term community music therapy (CoMT) singing group

Summary

Introduction

A growing body of literature indicates that participation in singing groups has a range of health and wellbeing benefits for the general adult population and for various adult cohorts with specific challenges/needs. Studies situated within various fields (e.g., health psychology, music education, arts-in-health, music therapy, etc.) have identified a range of [perceived and measured] health and wellbeing benefits experienced by adults from the general population who participated in non-clinical singing group initiatives (e.g., established choirs/chorale groups, amateur community choruses, research-based singing groups, etc.) These benefits included: improved breathing, voice quality, and posture (Clift & Hancox, 2001); positive immunological responses (e.g., increased levels of salivary immunoglobulin A; Kreutz, Bongard, Rohrmann, Hodapp, & Grebe, 2004); improved mood/affect (Busch & Gick, 2012; Judd & Pooley, 2014; Linnemann, Schnersch, & Nater, 2017; Livesay, Morrison, Clift, & Camic, 2012), reduced feelings of stress (Judd & Pooley, 2014; Linnemann, Schnersch, & Nater, 2017); increased feelings of relaxation and heightened feelings of energy (Livesay et al, 2012; Mellor, 2013; Vaillancourt, Da Costa, Han, & Lipski, 2018); cognitive stimulation and new learning (Livesay et al 2012); enhanced self-awareness (Mellor, 2013); meaningful social and musical connections made with others (Faulkner & Davidson, 2006; Stewart & Lonsdale, 2016; Vaillancourt et al, 2018); feelings of belonging and sense of community connection (Judd & Pooley, 2014; Livesay et al, 2012; Mellor, 2013; Stewart & Lonsdale, 2016); enhanced feelings of self-confidence, self-esteem, personal growth, accomplishment, life meaning/purpose and vitality (Busch & Gick, 2012; Livesay et al, 2012; Vaillancourt et al, 2018)

Results

Discussion

Conclusion