What is wellbeing and why look into it?
In general terms, wellbeing can be understood as how a person feels about themselves, how they function socially and personally and how they evaluate their lives as a whole.
It is subjective and unique to each individual. This leads to the question of how wellbeing levels can be maintained and, when they are insufficient, improved.
Wellbeing has become a buzzword and there has been much interest in it in educational, workplace and healthcare environments.
Why music?
Why people respond to music in the way that they do is difficult to unravel. The exact purpose of music is undefined but we know it has been part of cultures around the world for more than 30,000 years.
Most people enjoy music to a greater or lesser degree and it is easily accessible – there are few barriers to experiencing music in some form.
Research has suggested that all types of music-related activity have the potential to support wellbeing. This can be listening to and making music, including singing.
Music and learning disabilities
Although a growing pool of evidence shows music boosts the wellbeing of various groups, such as older people and those with mental health difficulties, there are still gaps in the literature. One such shortfall concerns the learning disabled community, who have typically been absent from wellbeing research.
Bridging the research gap
This project focuses on adults with Down’s syndrome. Again, this is a group of people noticeably missing from empirical research – even more so when looking specifically at adults with wellbeing and music combined.
Despite this, anecdotal evidence has long supported involvement in musical activities as being advantageous to people with Down’s syndrome.
Many historical papers reporting on Down’s syndrome mention an appreciation of or an ability in music.
However, in this context, musicality is irrelevant. The point here is the potential wellbeing benefits that music participation can offer, whatever the level of musical appreciation or ability.
This research is approached through three main studies:
Study 1: case study
This is an ethnographic case study of the Music Man Project (MMP). The four participants are all part of the MMP community and are based in Essex.
This study is exploring the impact of attending MMP on both those taking part and their families.
I followed the participants for 12 months, and spent many hours with the students and their families in a variety of musically related environments, including their taking part in the Music is Magic performance at the London Palladium in 2017.
The families were highly supportive and gave their time generously, which generated a unique understanding into what MMP and music participation means for individuals.
The case studies are being analysed and giving an insight into the world of MMP and the wellbeing benefits it can provide.
Study 2: music at Mencap
This study is exploring the prevalence of music participation as an activity for people with learning disabilities in Mencap groups around the UK.
It aims to establish the general view of this national organisation on the benefits of music on wellbeing on their members. More than 400 groups have been contacted, about half of which have responded so far.
Study 3: before and after
The final study is investigating the effect of a 10-week MMP programme on the wellbeing of adults with Down’s syndrome who have not regularly participated in music. Around 30 people took part.
A comparison of their wellbeing scores before, during and after the music sessions will give an indication of the impact music can have.
Again, these results are looking very encouraging in terms of improving wellbeing, particularly with reducing negative aspects such as anxiety and feeling unhappy.
A huge opportunity
We all know how good music makes us feel and the effects it can have on family and friends who have a learning disability.
I have a passion to share this as far as possible and academic research is one of the ways to deliver this message to a widespread audience.
Today, music is often regarded as insignificant and, as such, receives little attention in terms of funding or availability. This is missing a huge opportunity in supporting people with learning disabilities.
This research is another step along the way towards equality of opportunities for people with learning disabilities.
Natalie Bradford is the regional director and academic adviser for Music Man Project (UK) and is in her fourth year of PhD doctoral research at the Royal College of Music
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