Group Music Therapy with Women who have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of group music therapy combined with other creative arts methods on the self-reported levels of anxiety, depression, and self-esteem in women who have experienced intimate partner violence. Assessments of dependent variables were made at entry, following the final session of the intervention, and 3 weeks later. Using a repeated measures design and post hoc analyses, participants (n = 7) reported a significant decrease in depression and a marginally significant decrease in anxiety. No significant effect was found for self-esteem. Most participants reported all interventions to be helpful and the series of sessions a positive experience. The findings suggest that active music therapy within a group context may be an effective intervention for ameliorating mood in women recovering from intimate partner violence.