| Abstract [eng] |
SUMMARY The aim of this study was to reveal the experiences of self-esteem enhancement among adults with mental health disorders in the process of music therapy. To achieve this aim, the following research objectives were formulated: (1) to review the issues of self-esteem among individuals with mental health disorders; (2) to examine the possibilities of applying music therapy in the context of self-esteem enhancement among adults in the field of mental health; (3) to identify the relevant themes emerging from the music therapy experiences of individuals with mental health disorders and their links to self-esteem enhancement; (4) to reveal and interpret how the experiences emerging in the music therapy process relate to participants’ self-esteem enhancement and which methods contribute to it. The study employed a qualitative research methodology with additional quantitative elements, phenomenologically oriented toward the analysis of participants’ subjective experiences of self-esteem enhancement in the context of music therapy. The sample consisted of three individuals diagnosed with mental health disorders who participated in at least seven music therapy sessions (nine sessions in total). Quantitative data were collected using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and an adapted questionnaire, “Questionnaire on Self-Evaluation in the Context of Music Therapy Sessions.” Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with each participant after the final or penultimate music therapy session. In addition, audio recordings of sessions were used for phenomenologically oriented microanalysis of participants improvisational fragments. Thematic analysis was applied to reveal participants subjective experiences of self-esteem enhancement in the context of music therapy. The thematic analysis of patients music therapy experiences confirmed the factors and therapeutic mechanisms identified in the literature as contributing to self-esteem enhancement. Themes related to psycho-emotional, cognitive, existential, social connectedness, self-empowerment, and self-awareness needs emerged from participants experiences. The most significant experiences contributing to self-esteem enhancement included strengthening emotional resilience and self-acceptance, increasing self-awareness, changes in self-perception, attitudes and beliefs, greater self-confidence, continued motivation to engage in music-making outside therapy, and the experience of a non-judgmental and supportive sense of community. Quantitative results revealed stable or increased self-evaluation during music therapy sessions at the end of the study despite individual differences in overall self-esteem levels. The microanalysis of individual musical improvisations revealed different modes of self-expression, self-confidence, inner security, and relationship with the group, as well as their possible links to participants’ self-perception characteristics. The methods that contributed most significantly to the therapeutic effect were active group music-making, improvisation with musical instruments, and verbal reflection. |
