Essential Elements of Song for Grieving Young Adults

Abstract

Complications experienced by grieving young adults have developmental, mental, and behavioral components. Music offers opportunities to promote healthy grieving. While song writing has been widely used as an informal therapy for centuries, current researchers are beginning to explore its benefits. There is a noticeable lack of literature regarding the role of music in the grieving process. The aims of this study were to explore the grieving experiences of young adults who had lost a family member or friend, to identify song elements most helpful in promoting healthy grieving, and then to use these findings to compose a piece of music. Fifteen 20- to 23-year-old participants were interviewed about the death of a close friend or family member using a structured interview guide that included questions about their experience with the death and their grief, as well as questions about what song elements might help in grief. These questions included specifics about the song tempo (speed), dynamic (volume), and whether the song should contain lyrics (words). Thematic analysis was used to analyze interviews. Themes derived from the interview that should be relayed in a song included: Grief can include joy and pain together; It will get better; There is value in community; and, It is ok not to be ok For song elements, participants elected a slow tempo, a mixed or soft dynamic, and inclusion of lyrical content. All findings were integrated into a song composition that may help promote healthy grieving.

Keywords: grieving; music therapy; qualitative research; song-writing for processing grieving; thematic analysis; young adults.