Lived experiences of singing in a community hospice bereavement support music therapy group

Abstract

Abstract Although singing is an inherent part of grieving in many cultures, relatively little research has been conducted on how singing is experienced by adults in bereavement support group contexts. The purpose of this study was to examine the singing experiences of seven female adults who participated in a postloss bereavement support music therapy group that took place in a community hospice. Individual interviews were conducted with all participants, who also had the option of submitting written feedback after each group singing session. This feedback, along with interview transcripts, was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). This resulted in seven narrative summary interpretations that represent explicit and implicit aspects of each individual’s lived experience of singing in this context. Cross case analysis revealed themes organised under five categories, supported with participant quotes. Potential implications for research and practice are presented.