Melody Schwantes
Melody Schwantes
Qualifications:
(MMT) Master of Music Therapy, (BA) Psychology, (BM) Music Therapy
Current Work:
Adjunct professor in music therapy at Appalachian State University
Private practice: Joie de Vivre Music Therapy
Contact info:
Melody Schwantes, MMT, MT-BC,
Joie de Vivre Music Therapy,
PO Box 166, Boone,
NC 28607 1 (828)-719-2158
melodyschwantes@gmail.com
www.joiedevivremusictherapy.com
Doctoral Study
Title: The Effects of Music Therapy on Mexican Migrant Farmworkers’ Levels of Anxiety, Depression, and Social Isolation
Supervisors:
Dr. Tony Wigram, Aalborg University
Dr. Niels Hannibal, Aalborg University
Dr. Cathy McKinney, Appalachian State University
Introduction
North Carolina has the 6th largest population of Mexican migrant farmworkers, with approximately 150,000 coming to the state annually to work in agriculture. Public health centers have been reporting high instances of anxiety and depression with this population with little availability for culturally appropriate interventions. These agencies have been unable to provide the farmworkers with a culturally appropriate method for meeting their mental health needs. Mental health services are often available only during the farmworkers’ working hours, and often the farmworkers do not have transportation to these facilities
This music therapy research study has the potential to alleviate some of the pressures on the mental health services and it may provide preventative measures for potential problems. Using a culture-centered music therapy approach as the underlying philosophy of this research allows the music therapy sessions to be established in the cultural context of the migrant farmworkers. It is proposed that this approach will allow for greater reciprocity, empowerment, and overall wellness of the entire community. The purpose of this research is to explore the effects of one type of culturally appropriate mental health intervention on anxiety, depression, and social isolation in Mexican migrant farmworkers.
Question One
Will the application of music therapy significantly reduce levels of anxiety, depression and social isolation among migrant farmworkers?
Sub question 1. To what extent will the effects of the therapeutic music sessions have a lasting effect on levels of anxiety, depression, and social isolation after the formal sessions are over?
Sub question two. How frequently do the migrant farmworkers make music together in between sessions
and how does this affect the degree of change in levels of anxiety, depression, and social isolation?
Question Two
What type of music will emerge from these sessions and what will the music mean to the participants?
Question Three
How will the migrant farmworkers participate in the music therapy research?
Sub question one. How will they evaluate their relationship with the researcher?
Method
Design: This study utilized a mixed-methods approach with participatory action research (PAR) as the basis for the research design and portions of the data collection. This study is divided into two distinct phases. The participants from Phase I influenced the design, method, and interventions in Phase II.
Quantitative data were taken for anxiety, depression, social isolation at pretest, posttest, and follow-up for an experimental (music therapy) and control group (basic stress reduction education with music listening). Qualitative data included a music analysis and a focus group interview highlighting the farmworkers’ experiences in the music therapy research.
Participants: The participants were male, Mexican migrant farmworkers living in work camps. Over the course of two years, 23 camps were involved and approximately 130 participants. The camps where the participants lived were randomly assigned to conditions. The farmworkers in this study were primarily married men ages 18-56 with the majority having visas to live and work in the United States.
Dependent variables: Depression scale (CES-D), Anxiety scale (BAI), and a Social Isolation Scale
Procedure: For the experimental condition, music therapy sessions were held once a week for a total of 6-10 weeks. Each session lasted approximately 1.5-2 hours. Sessions included a music learning component (guitar, piano, or accordion) as well as a direct therapeutic component that included: lyric analysis, song writing, improvisation, or music-assisted relaxation. The control group participated in stress reduction education and were given preferred music.
Selected Publications and Conference Presentations
Schwantes, M. & McKinney, C. (2010). Music therapy with Mexican migrant farmworkers: A
pilot study. Music Therapy Perspectives, 28, 22-28.
Schwantes, M. (2009). The use of music therapy with children who speak English as a second
language: An exploratory study. Music Therapy Perspectives, 27, 80-87.
Schwantes, M., Wigram, T., McKinney, C., Lipscomb, A., & Prillaman, C. The Mexican corrido
and its use in a music therapy bereavement group, (article submitted for publication).
Hahna, N., & Schwantes, M. Survey of music therapy educators: Implications for feminist music
therapy pedagogy. Journal of Music Therapy, accepted for publication
Schwantes, M. (2008). Meeting the needs of Latino clients: A cross-cultural music therapy approach. AMTA
National Conference, St. Louis, MO.
Schwantes, M. And Lipscomb, A. (2008).Using music therapy: Alternative strategies for addressing the mental
health needs of farmworkers. Migrant Stream Forum, Providence, RI.
Schwantes, M. & Lipscomb, A. (2008). Addressing the mental health needs of farmworkers in culturally appropriate
ways. Priester National Extension Health Conference, Raleigh, NC
Schwantes, M. (2008). Music therapy with Mexican migrant farmworkers: A Pilot Study, SERAMTA Regional
Conference, New Orleans, LA
Schwantes, M. (2007). Keeping the music: Personal and professional goals, North Carolina Music Therapy
Association, continuing education presentation, Raleigh, NC
Schwantes, M. (2006). Multicultural music therapy: A qualitative comparison of two training programs, Poster
presented for the AMTA National Conference, Kansas City, MO
Schwantes, M. (2002). Music and Movement, special presentation, Priessnitzovy Lecebne Lazne a.s. (wellness spa),
Jesenik, Czech Republic