Adolescence is a unique time when music is most important in our lives. If music itself is so important and effective with teens, what further benefits could music therapy provide for these individuals? Shuman, et al, looked into how music therapy in groups can affect the mood of adolescents in a psychiatric hospital setting, (Shuman, 2016).
In this study, children and adolescents, ages 12 to 21 years participated in at least one music therapy group and completed a standard mood assessment before and after the group. This measure included questions such as, “how do you feel right now?” and “how did you feel during group?” Teens on a psychiatric unit may present with social withdrawal, inability to connect with others, anger/aggression, etc. Because of the variety of symptoms, music therapy groups were adapted to meet the needs of those in the group.