Helen Leith

Hellen LeithHelen Leith

hleith@hum.aau.dk

Qualifications:

ARCM, StMP, kuenstlerische Reifepruefung, MMT

Current positions

PhD student at Doctorate Programme in Music Therapy
Project Music Therapist: HMP Bronzefield, UK
Project Manager: Ngwino Turirimbane, Rwandan skill-sharing music therapy project

Doctoral Study

A mixed-methods exploration of music therapy and the rehabilitation of female offenders with non-psychotic mental health problems

Supervisors

Prof Helen Odell-Miller, PhD, Deputy Head of Music and Performing Arts Department, Principal Lecturer MA Music Therapy
Assoc. Prof Niels Hannibal PhD, Doctorate Programme in Music Therapy, Aalborg University, Denmark

Summary

Context

There is compelling evidence that many prisoners, particularly women, suffer from mental health problems (HO 2004; SEU 2002; HO 2000). Yet there is a dearth of UK music therapists working in prison. This raises the question whether the lack of music therapy provision is due to funding restraints within the prison system or whether there is a failure to recognise the benefits of music therapy for this client group and the positive impact it could have on the successful rehabilitation of offenders.

The music therapeutic process of some women is indicative of a growing ability to work reflectively with music and to experience shared meaning-making. There is a shift in their ‘way-of-being-in-music’ which suggestive of an underlying change in self-perception. This, in turn, appears to have a positive impact on their ability to engage positively with the prison system.

Research questions

  • Can music therapy facilitate change in the self-perception of female offenders with mental health problems?
  • If so, does this impact on an offender’s ability to engage with prison rehabilitation programmes?

Research design

The research follows an embedded mixed-methods design (Creswell & Plano Clark 2007). The subjective experience of change in music therapy is the primary focus of the research. The quantitative data plays a supplemental role within the overall design. Both data sets are collected concurrently and the interpretation is based on QUAL(quan) results.

References

- Creswell, J.W. & Plano Clark,V.L. (2007) Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks-London-New Delhi
- Home Office (2000). The Government's strategy for women offenders. Correctional Policy Unit, London
- Home Office (2004). Women's Offending Reduction Programme. Retrieved 05.04.10 from www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/WORP-action-plan2835.pdf?view
- SEU (2002). Reducing re-offending by ex-prisoners: Report by the Social Exclusion Unit. London, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.