Music therapy for treating depression Psychology Research Paper (Research Paper Sample)

Music Therapy for Depression
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Abstract
The present study explored the role of music therapy in relieving those with depression for population aged between 18 and 24 years from a generic and gender-perspectives. Participants consisted of a homogenous of 190 students, male students (N = 95) and female student (N = 95) from psychology classes at a Southwestern regional university campus in the United States (US). The 15-item English version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to test the hypotheses. A quasi-experimental -pre-post-test between-subjects design was applied in the present study after gaining informed consent from the participants. SPSS 24 software was used to conduct the statistical analysis. Hypotheses 1 and 2 were supported through percentage analysis and chi-square tests. A variation in the in the levels of depression for pre-test (df = 2; χ2= 31.373; p <0.001) and post-test scores (df = 2; χ2= 19.647; p <0.001) of the students from a total and gender perspective was evident. Hypothesis 3 was tested using paired samples t-tests. A statistically significant reduction in the depression rate among the students after the music therapy intervention (t(189) = 12.958 ; p <0.001) was observed. Hypothesis 4 was tested using Mann Whitney test. A significant change in the depression rate among the students before (U = 3016.5, z = -4.274; p = <0.001) and after the music therapy intervention (U = 3016.5, z = -4.339; p = <0.001) was evident. The results of the study successful applied the GDS-15 tool and assessed the significance of music therapy in relieving depression among the students aged between 18 and 24 years. Further, with the incorporation of gender analysis, the present study highlighted the need for gender-specific interventions in reducing depression, rather than a generic strategy.