The use of group descriptive phenomenology within a mixed methods study to understand the experience of music therapy for women with breast cancer

Abstract

ABSTRACTWomen living with breast cancer are faced with numerous challenges that have the potential to challenge their coping resources. However, positive benefits have been attributed to participation in psychosocial therapy groups. Music interventions used therapeutically within the context of music therapy demonstrate numerous positive benefits. Yet, little is written about the use of group music therapy for women with different stages of breast cancer. Moreover, there is a gap in understanding of the lived experience of women with breast cancer within a group context, for which data from descriptive phenomenology methods would fill. The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experience of music therapy for women with breast cancer; the author was both clinician/researcher. Four groups of women who were outpatients received six weekly music therapy sessions that incorporated various music therapy methods. Eighteen women at different stages of the disease spectrum took part in the study. The qualitative data were gathered through focus group interviews and were held post music therapy program. Twelve composite themes and one emergent theme evolved from the analysis. This study is one of only a few to examine a group music therapy experience for women with breast cancer. The study also contributes to the qualitative literature on group phenomenology and focus groups.