A1 Journal article (refereed)
Music therapeutic emotional processing (MEP) : Expression, awareness, and pain predict therapeutic outcome (2023)
Saarikallio, S., Toiviainen, P., Brabant, O., Snape, N., & Erkkilä, J. (2023). Music therapeutic emotional processing (MEP) : Expression, awareness, and pain predict therapeutic outcome. Psychology of Music, 51(1), 140-158. https://doi.org/10.1177/03057356221087445
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Saarikallio, Suvi; Toiviainen, Petri; Brabant, Olivier; Snape, Nerdinga; Erkkilä, Jaakko
Journal or series: Psychology of Music
ISSN: 0305-7356
eISSN: 1741-3087
Publication year: 2023
Publication date: 26/04/2022
Volume: 51
Issue number: 1
Pages range: 140-158
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/03057356221087445
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access:
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/84057
Abstract
Successful emotional processing is pivotal for the therapeutic change, and music can support emotional processing. However, we know little on how music-based emotional processing actually predicts clinical outcomes. This study investigated music therapeutic emotional processing (MEP) as a predictor of therapeutic outcome in treatment for depression. Data consisted of self-reports of 64 clients (age range 19–57, 74% female) from a clinical trial (12 sessions) of integrative improvisational music therapy (IIMT). A 19-item MEP questionnaire was developed for assessing clients’ experiences after sessions. Emergent MEP factors were correlated with clients’ perceptions of the therapeutic value of the sessions (Session Evaluation Questionnaire [SEQ]) and with recovery from depression (Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS]). MEP emerged as a constitution of three factors: expression, awareness, and pain. Expression and awareness increased across the process and correlated positively with session value and MADRS change. Pain demonstrated a more complex inverted u-shaped temporal curve and correlated with roughness of session experience. The presence of pain during the late part of the therapy predicted lower recovery. The findings support MEP factors as predictors of therapeutic outcome and provide conceptual insight into the mechanisms of change in art therapies. Knowledge on music-based emotional processing holds relevance also beyond therapy context for everyday music engagement.
Keywords: emotions; music; music therapy; psychotherapy; depression (mental disorders); treatment methods; emotional life
Free keywords: emotional processing; music therapy; psychotherapy; emotion; depression
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- NO PAIN NO GAIN - Internal Mechanisms of Integrative, Improvisational Music Therapy in the Treatment of Depression
- Erkkilä, Jaakko
- Research Council of Finland
- Centre of Excellence in Music, Mind, Body and Brain
- Toiviainen, Petri
- Research Council of Finland
- Take the “N” Train: Dance, Entrainment and Prosocial Behaviour
- Toiviainen, Petri
- Research Council of Finland
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2023
Preliminary JUFO rating: 3