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. 2022 Jul;32(8-9):1399-1414.
doi: 10.1177/10497323221104718. Epub 2022 May 27.

Singing for Wellbeing: Formulating a Model for Community Group Singing Interventions

Natasha Hendry  1   2 , Dr Siobhan Lynam  1   2 , Caroline Lafarge  1   2
Affiliations

Singing for Wellbeing: Formulating a Model for Community Group Singing Interventions

Natasha Hendry et al. Qual Health Res. 2022 Jul.

Abstract

Research into the benefits of community-based group singing, pertaining to positive wellbeing and Quality of Life is lacking. Additionally, no preferred theoretical framework exists for community singing-based interventions. For the present study, six members of a UK community choir were interviewed using a semi-structured interview approach. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was employed. Analysis produced superordinate themes of: Social Factors with key elements such as social bonds and group identity; Psychological Factors, highlighting self-efficacy, self-identity and positive emotions and Psychological Motivations for Joining the Group, including autonomy, change of life circumstance and seeking a new challenge. The style/method of the group, teaching, music and group leader, were shown to have an influence on perceived benefits of the singing group. A key product of this study beyond the evidenced benefits of group singing is the development of an intervention model that optimises wellbeing outcomes in community singing groups underpinned by psychological theory, findings from the wider literature and the results of this study.

Keywords: community choirs; community health; group singing; interpretative phenomenological analysis; person-centred social activity model; singing for wellbeing; singing-based interventions; social groups; social isolation; social prescribing; theoretical framework.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The theoretical components of the PCSA model (PCA: Person-Centred Approach, SIT: Social Identity Theory, CET: Cognitive Evaluation Theory, SDT: Self-Determination Theory).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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