Date of Award

2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Department

Educational and School Psychology

First Advisor

Linda Webster

First Committee Member

Eric G. Waldon

Second Committee Member

Justin Low

Abstract

This is a pilot study examining the comparative effectiveness of self-administered therapeutic playlists in the treatment of anxiety symptoms. Interventions examined during this study include the musical contour regulation playlist (MCR-P) and a one-directional mood vectoring playlist (MV-P). Measures included the Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and a Likert-type scale for participants to rate their pre- to post-listening levels of anxiety. At the conclusion of the study, participants took part in an interview which were analyzed for data that could help inform for whom the MCR-P intervention would be best suited. Both interventions discussed in this study are grounded in existing research in the fields of music therapy, psychotherapy, and neuroscience, and all playlists are personalized to take into account the musical preferences of each participant. Findings indicated that there was a significant relationship between use of the MCR-P and a reduction in symptoms of state and trait anxiety scores in participants with pretest trait anxiety scores at or above the 85th percentile (state p = 0.023; trait p = 0.037), and state anxiety scores in all participants (state p = 0.026). Analysis of all participant scores also indicated that there was a significant relationship between use of the MCR-P and a reduction in pre- to post-listening anxiety (p = 0.029) with greater effectiveness in participants with pretest trait anxiety scores at or above the 85th percentile (p = 0.01). Findings must be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size, but they indicate that this may be an effective tool to assist patients in the management of anxiety symptoms.

Pages

120

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