A constructivist grounded theory research project studying music therapy as an anti-oppressive practice in long-term and psychiatric residential care

Abstract

Analytical emancipatory social justice and anti-oppressive practice concepts have begun to be integrated into music therapy to inform and expand the theoretical basis of practice (Sajnani et al., 2017). Anti-oppressive practices (AOP) in music therapy have been developed to expose and undo both obvious and unknown oppression to increase social justice within music therapy systems, practice, and research (Baines, 2013). Music therapy as an Anti-Oppressive Practice (Baines, 2013) was examined in two sites, 1. a long-term care facility, and 2. a secure mental health centre. The study used Constructivist Grounded Theory method guided by the question: What are the experiences of residents and staff in music therapy as an anti-oppressive practice? The research revealed dilemmas, opportunities, and outcomes of music therapy research and practice processes that engage anti-oppressive analysis. Further consideration of the data revealed that an anti-oppressive practice framework for music therapy research and practice broadened client agency through integration of client preferred music experiences in all aspects of programming and increased cultural humility and competence in staff offering heightened ethical standards across both sites.