Context/objective: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) patients face unique identity challenges associated with physical limitations, higher comorbid depression, increased suicidality and reduced subjective well-being. Post-injury identity is often unaddressed in subacute rehabilitation environments where critical physical and functional rehabilitation goals are prioritized. Therapeutic songwriting has demonstrated prior efficacy in promoting healthy adjustment and as a means of expression for post-injury narratives. The current study sought to examine the identity narratives of therapeutic songwriting participants.
Design: Case-series analysis of the individual identity trajectories of eight individuals.
Setting: Subacute rehabilitation facility, Victoria, Australia.
Participants: Eight individuals with an SCI; 7 males and 1 female.
Intervention: Six-week therapeutic songwriting intervention facilitated by a music therapist to promote identity rehabilitation.
Outcome measures: Identity, subjective well-being and distress, emotional state.
Results: Three participants demonstrated positive trajectories and a further three showed negative trajectories; remaining participants were ambiguous in their response. Injury severity differentiated those with positive trajectories from those with negative trajectories, with greater injury severity apparent for those showing negative trends. Self-concept also improved more in those with positive trajectories. Core demographic variables did not however meaningfully predict the direction of change in core identity or wellbeing indices.
Conclusion: Identity-focused songwriting holds promise as a means of promoting healthy identity reintegration. Further research on benefits for those with less severe spinal injuries is warranted.
Keywords: Identity; Music therapy; Rehabilitation; Self concept; Spinal cord injuries.