Friday, 2 August 2019

Group singing in bereavement: effects on mental health, self-efficacy, self-esteem and well-being

BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, June 2019
Fancourt, Daisy; Finn, Saoirse; Warran, Katey; Wiseman, Theresa

This study used a non-randomised controlled design to explore the effects of group choir singing on mental health among people who have been bereaved due to cancer.  Participants who sang in a choir had more stable symptoms of depression and levels of well-being, as well as gradual improvements in their sense of self-efficacy and self-esteem over the 24 weeks. In contrast, those in the control group showed gradual increases in depressive symptoms, reductions in levels of well-being and self-esteem and no improvement in their self-efficacy.  These results were independent of all covariates.  The authors conclude that weekly group singing could be a promising mutual support intervention for people experiencing grief.


Fulltext available in BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care