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Finding Balance with Music: Music Therapy as a Tool for Recovery and Increasing Welfare for Orphans of COVID-19 Victims

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 August 2023

Yenni Lidyawati Open the ORCID record for Yenni Lidyawati [Opens in a new window]
Yenni Lidyawati*
Affiliation:
Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia
*
Correspondence: Yenni Lidyawati Indonesian Language, Faculty of Literature Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia Jl. Semarang 5 Malang 65145 Jawa Timur Indonesia E-mail: yenni.lidyawati.2202119@students.um.ac.id
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Abstract

Music therapy can effectively address children’s psychological, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. Music therapy can provide a safe and supportive environment for children to process their emotions and deal with the grief of losing a parent.

Keywords

COVID-19music therapyorphans
Type
Article Commentary
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 38 , Issue 5 , October 2023 , pp. 689 - 690
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine

Dear Editor,

In response to the article “Establishing Music Therapy as an Alternative to Reducing Compassion Fatigue among Health Workers.” Reference Rahayu, Atmoko, Muslihati, Setyowati and Mudjijanti1 This topic is fascinating and relevant to what is happening today. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has devastating consequences world-wide, affecting not only the physical health of individuals but also their mental and emotional well-being. Reference Godinic, Obrenovic and Khudaykulov2 One group that has been significantly impacted is children orphaned by the loss of their parents to the virus. Reference Denis-Ramirez, Sørensen and Skovdal3 These children not only deal with the trauma of losing their loved ones, but also have to deal with the emotional and psychological challenges of being left without parental care and support. Reference Slomski4,Reference Zhao, Wang, Zhou, Jiang and Hesketh5

Research shows that music therapy can be valuable in promoting recovery and increased well-being in vulnerable children. Reference Dassa6 Although research explicitly investigating the positive impact of music participation on children orphaned by COVID-19 is scant, the current study sheds light on the effectiveness of music therapy in improving mental health outcomes in various populations. Reference Bompard, Liuzzi and Staccioli7,Reference Porter, McConnell and McLaughlin8 Music therapy, as a form of expressive arts therapy, harnesses music’s power and universal language to meet individual psychological, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. Reference Brancatisano, Baird and Thompson9 By engaging in music therapy, children orphaned by COVID-19 can explore and express their emotions, build resilience, foster social relationships, and develop coping skills. Reference Vyjayanthi, Banerjee and Sathyanarayana Rao10

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges to children orphaned by the virus, leaving them in a vulnerable state both emotionally and psychologically. Reference Masuku, Hlengwa, Mkhize and Sibiya11 During this challenging time, music therapy can provide a safe and supportive environment for these children to process their emotions and deal with the grief of losing a parent. Reference Walsh12 Research has shown that music therapy can effectively reduce anxiety and stress, improve mood regulation, and increase overall well-being. Reference Archambault, Vaugon and Deumie13 In addition, preliminary evidence suggests that music therapy can also positively affect cognitive manifestations of COVID-19, which is particularly relevant for children who may experience cognitive difficulties because of trauma and the stress of losing a parent. Reference Lange and Sun14,Reference Araújo, Veloso, Souza, Azevedo and Tarro15

Music therapy in the context of COVID-19 can offer a unique and accessible approach to children orphaned by the virus. Reference Soklaridis, Lin, Lalani, Rodak and Sockalingam16 By leveraging online platforms and virtual sessions, music therapy can reach children who may not have access to in-person sessions due to various constraints. Reference Shah-Zamora, Anderson, Barton and Fleisher17 Writers can provide a valuable alternative for orphans to engage in therapeutic activities and receive the support needed for their emotional and psychological well-being. Reference Perkins, Mason-Bertrand, Fancourt, Baxter and Williamon18 It is essential to explore the benefits of online music participation for children orphaned by COVID-19 to promote recovery and enhance their overall well-being. Reference Liu, Yang, Xiao, Zhang and Osmani19 The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a heavy toll on families, especially those who have lost their parents or guardians to the virus. Reference Jalongo20

Therefore, it is imperative to prioritize the mental health and well-being of children orphaned by COVID-19 and provide them with a comprehensive support system. Reference Abu-Ras, Ashraf AbuLaban, Talat AlQaisi, AlQaisi and Decker21 Music therapy has emerged as a promising intervention to address the psychological, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of children orphaned by COVID-19. Reference Min and Soon22 These children can find balance and healing by incorporating music therapy into their lives. Reference Ansdell23 Through music, they can express their emotions, find solace in melodies, and connect with others who understand their experiences. Reference Bhattacharya, Backonja, Le, Antony, Si and Lee24

Conflicts of interest/funding

The author declares no conflict of interest in this paper. Funded by LPDP and Pusladik Kemendikbud-Ristek (BPI ID Number: 202209091089).

References

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