Integrating the missile's boom into a song: Experiential Reframing of Trauma through Songs (ERTS) with children living under continuous terror threat.

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Research literature deals extensively with the treatment of children exposed to continuous terror threat of attack. However, this topic has received little attention in music therapy research.
Objective: This study is the first to focus on music therapists’ perspectives on specific principles and techniques designated to moderate children’s anxiety responses to continuous terror threat.
Method: A qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews was conducted with 15 experienced music therapists working with Israeli children who experience continuous terror threat in towns located near the Gaza Strip.
Results: The findings yielded three themes that relate to the therapeutic use of songs. The first theme describes the creation of a musical-playful space that emphasizes the importance of experiencing joy and playfulness through songs. Children may be able to overcome their fear by ‘playing with it’. The second theme relates to the use of songs for restoring a sense of control and fostering resilience. The structured characteristics of songs may provide a sense of control, and ‘songs of resilience’ may provide messages of strength and potency. The third theme refers to connections made at different levels while singing thus contributing to the client’s self-integration.
Conclusions: It is suggested that the therapeutic use of songs during a traumatic continuous threat may provide children with an experiential reframing of trauma through songs. In this way, children may be able to experience the event in a less threatening manner which might not be coded as a strong traumatic memory and PTSD may be prevented.
Original languageAmerican English
StatePublished - 2019
EventThe 16th European Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) Conference on Trauma in Transition: Building Bridges - European Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS), Rotterdam, Netherlands
Duration: 14 Jun 201916 Jun 2019

Conference

ConferenceThe 16th European Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) Conference on Trauma in Transition: Building Bridges
Country/TerritoryNetherlands
CityRotterdam
Period14/06/1916/06/19

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