Resilience-Based Music Partnerships for Children with Chronic Health Issues

Childhood chronic health conditions can be long-lasting and pervasive in their effect on the quality of life of a child and their family. Engaging in music can build personal and social identity, help individuals reduce stress, promote coping, and facilitate wellbeing, and music therapy can function as a resource for those with chronic health conditions, serving to build resiliency. Research demonstrates that theory-based, active, or receptive music interventions can serve as positive distraction from the relentless nature of the chronic health condition while also promoting development, ameliorating the adverse effects of chronic illness and mediating risk, even with a small number of music therapy sessions. Moreover, both music therapy and other music interactions can create a deeper context for social connectedness and the child’s own emerging identity. Music can also be a resource for caregivers, strengthening protective context for all involved.