Oppositional defiant disorder and Chinese music therapy: The 4S-Model

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Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is characterised by recurrent patterns of developmentally inappropriate, negativistic, defiant, hostile, annoying and disobedient behaviour, mainly toward people in authority, and it may increase the risk of delinquency. Notwithstanding the wide variation of relevant statistical data, ODD can be considered a serious global issue ‒ and it is one of the most prevalent psychiatric diseases among Chinese children and adolescents. Mental health is a key objective of the Chinese ministry of education, and a declaration issued in 2021 calls for enhanced mental health education in primary and secondary schools. In consonance with these objectives, the Research Centre for Arts Therapies of Beijing Normal University is developing arts-based models to strengthen mental health, improve prevention of psycho-affective disorders and alleviate (subclinical) symptoms in the younger generation, ODD included. Regarding the pathological features of ODD, the present article suggests to notably regard the related dynamic complex of intrinsic factors, socio-cultural interdependencies and challenging personality traits. Moreover, it introduces the 4S-model of Chinese music therapy for ODD consisting of (i) self-discovery, e.g. through aesthetic mirror techniques, (ii) self-control, e.g. involving creative martial arts, (iii) self-actualisation, e.g. based on sound-scene improvisation and (iv) self-adjustment, e.g. by means of music-induced trance and imagination techniques. Further research to optimise cultural sensitivity, e.g. concerning the ethnic minorities living in China, and to evaluate effect sizes are needed, alongside implementation into regular curricula and nationwide in-service-trainings for teachers.