A mixed-methods concurrent identical design was implemented to explore the following research question: what are the emotional, social, and practical impacts of group singing for women from a regeneration area? Members of an all-female community choir based in an area of disadvantage participated in a focus group and survey. The most significant quantitative finding was an increase in the overall perceived level of health, which seemed linked to qualitative themes of 'positive emotions', 'redefining and reclaiming identity', 'choir as an extended family' and 'community interaction and impact'. Three themes arose from qualitative data: social impact, health and well-being aspects, and practical issues. Integrating qualitative and quantitative findings identified an overarching concept that 'choir participation may increase emotional and social health and well-being'. Group singing was found beneficial, with a potential to serve as a resource in cultivating resilience in individuals living in areas of disadvantage.
Keywords: community music therapy; disadvantage; group singing; women.
There is a growing body of evidence supporting the health and emotional, social, and psychological well-being benefits of group singing (Clift et al., 2008, 2010; Clift and Hancox, 2010; Reagon et al., 2016; Fancourt and Finn, 2019). This study explored the experience of group singing for a specific demographic: women from an area of disadvantage. Members of an all-female choir based in a council estate of Limerick participated in a focus group and completed a survey investigating the emotional, social and practical impacts of group singing. Gains were noted across all three categories, and participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive regarding the benefits of choir membership. There were two particularly noteworthy findings: the ‘universality of singing’ across various age groups and ‘weariness of labels’, a novel subtheme that emerged during the focus group.
© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press.