Grief, Loss, & Death
Music has been identified as a critical form of creativity that facilitates the expression of the complex emotions associated with grief. A number of studies looking at music therapy’s effect on mood and behaviors related to various types of bereavement, including trauma, death, loss of a loved one, and terminal illness, found that music therapy significantly reduced symptoms of grief, taught positive coping skills, and conveyed emotional support.
References:
- Atilio, T. (2002). Helping children, helping ourselves: An overview of children’s literature. In J. Lowey & A. Hara (Eds.), Caring for the caregiver: The use of music and music therapy in grief and trauma (pp.138-147). Silver Springs, MD: American Music Therapy Association.
- Gaffney, D. (2002). Seasons of grief: Helping children grow through loss. In J. Lowey & A. Hara (Eds.), Caring for the caregiver: The use of music and music therapy in grief and trauma (pp.54-62). Silver Springs, MD: American Music Therapy Association.
- Hilliard, R. E. (2015). Music and grief work with children and adolescents. In C. Malchiodi, & B. Perry (Eds.), Creative interventions for traumatized children (pp.75-91). New York: The Guilford Press.
- Hilliard, R. E. (2001). The effects of music therapy-based bereavement groups on mood and behavior of grieving children: A pilot study. Journal of Music Therapy, 38(4), 291-306.
- Lochner, S.W., & Stevenson, R. G. (1988). Music as a bridge to wholeness. Death Studies, 12, 173-180.
- Robb, S.L. (2003). Music therapy in pediatric healthcare: Research and evidence-based-based practice. Silver Springs, MD: American Music Therapy Association.