Musical Group Intervention for Children in Shelters

Music, Feelings and Relationships - Implementation and Evaluation of a Group Intervention for Children in Shelters

The aim of the study is to augment knowledge on interventions for children who live, or have lived, in shelters after exposure to domestic violence. Research questions concern the feasibility of a music group intervention for children. The experiences of children, caregivers, and professionals will be investigated. Additionally, outcomes concerning emotional reactivity, capacity for emotional regulation, quality of life, and psychological health will be evaluated.

Study Overview

• Status: Enrolling by invitation
• Conditions: Psychological Distress; Child Development; Domestic Violence; Music Therapy; Group Intervention
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Music, feelings and relationships - music group for children at shelters

Detailed Description

Research problem and specific questions The project uses a mixed methods design in a naturalistic setting. Qualitative data concerning how children, caregivers and professionals experience the intervention and quantitative data concerning practical feasibility, adaptions made, and children's reported psychological health and quality of life will be studied. Data will be collected through questionnaires, log-forms, evaluation forms, and interviews with children, parents, and professionals. Thematic analysis and Interpretative phenomenological analysis will be used for qualitative data. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric methods will be used as applicable for quantitative data.

Plan for project realization The music group intervention will be offered to children 3-10 years, who live or have lived at a shelter. In all 12 groups with 4-8 children in each (48-96 children) will be realized. Collaboration with 2-3 shelters is established.

Questionnaires designed to measure psychological health, health-related quality of life, emotion reactivity, and capacity for emotional regulation will be administrated to caregivers pre- and post-intervention. A log-form will be filled out by professionals after each group session. Evaluation forms will be administrated to children, caregivers, and professionals after completing the intervention. Qualitative interviews focusing on feasibility, acceptance, and experiences of the intervention will be carried through with children, caregivers and professionals post intervention.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 96
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Sweden
  • Växjö, Sweden, 35112
    • Department of Research and Development, Region Kronoberg

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 3 years to 10 years (Child)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 3-10 years
• Currently living or have lived at shelter together with a caregiver

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Sequential Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Musical group intervention; A music group intervention, offered to children 3-10 years who live or have lived at a shelter. 6 group sessions with musicians and music therapist and a group of 4-8 children. Focus on improving recognition and regulation of emotions, and on relational capacity with adults and peers.	Behavioral: Music, feelings and relationships - music group for children at shelters; A music group intervention, offered to children 3-10 years who live or have lived at a shelter. 6 group sessions with musicians and music therapist and a group of 4-8 children. Focus on improving recognition and regulation of emotions, and on relational capacity with adults and peers.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from baseline on Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire - Parent version at termination of intervention.	Caregiver report of child psychopathology. Minimum score 0, maximum score 40, higher score indicating worse outcome.	Up to 4 months
Change from baseline on Child Healthy Utility 9D at termination of intervention.	Caregiver report of child health related quality of life. Minimum score 0, maximum score 36, higher score indicating worse outcome.	Up to 4 months
Change from baseline on Emotion Questionnaire for parents at termination of intervention.	Caregiver report of child health related quality of life. Minimum score 0, maximum score 36135, higher score indicating worse outcome.	Up to 4 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Evaluation form Music group for children at shelters - child version	Scores and free text answers on satisfaction and experiences of participating in the intervention.	Up to 4 months
Evaluation form Music group for children at shelters - parent version	Scores and free text answers on parental satisfaction and experiences after havein a child participating in the intervention.	Up to 4 months
Evaluation form Music group for children at shelters - professional version	Scores and free text answers on satisfaction and experiences of participating in the intervention.	Up to 4 months

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Feasibility of the intervention Music group for children at shelters.	Log after each session on participation and adaptions made.	Up to 4 months
Childrens' experiences of participating in Music group for children at shelters.	Qualitative data from interviews with children.	Up to 4 months
Parents' experiences of having a child participating in Music group for children at shelters.	Qualitative data from interviews with parents.	Up to 4 months
Professionals' experiences of participating in Music group for children at shelters.	Qualitative data from interviews with professionals taking part in the intervention.	through study completion, an average of 2 years

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kronoberg County Council
• Collaborators: Musik i Syd; Kvinnojouren Blenda

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 12, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 22, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): March 6, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 10, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 9, 2023
• Last Verified: October 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: MGSB

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No