Influence of Classical Music Therapy on Generalized Anxiety Disorder among Children in Charitable Institutions in Nakuru County, Kenya
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Date
2025-11
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
This study examined the Influence of Classical Music Therapy on Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) among children in Charitable Institutions in Nakuru East Sub-County, Kenya. Using Quasi Experimental Design, 100 children aged 12-17 years were randomly sampled from three institutions. Beck’s Anxiety Inventory and SMGADC were used for data collection. Findings showed a 58.2% prevalence of anxiety before intervention and a significant reduction after six weeks of music therapy. The study concludes that classical music therapy effectively reduces symptoms of worry, irritability, restlessness and sadness among children with GAD. Additionally, the finding concurred with other studies where anxiety in males was greater than that of their female children. In the assessment of the six week of music therapy the children who were moderately and always felt terrified or afraid had a mean of 7.3. Felt uneasy, worried, or unsettled 9.4, Had ruminations of weird happening such deaths, sicknesses, loss of a retrenchment, or accidents 5.3, Felt sweaty hands, difficulty breathing, faint or dizzy 10.5, Had trouble sleeping, felt restless and flimsy legs 13.6, Felt withdrawn, or stayed clear of places that cause me to worry 9.4, dodged from activities or participated only minimally due to worries 8.4, wasted much moments thinking about issues, searched reassurance from others due to worries.12.5 and those who needed help to cope with anxiety (e.g. Illicit brew, treatment, phobia, or other people). Were 10.4 respectively. All children minimized anxiety by half. This agrees with the previous study in Kenya and other countries. Vuust and Kringelbach (2010) espoused there exists an interplay of physiological and emotional stimulation resulting from the simultaneous activity receptors that translates in the predictive coding in the brain when making music with another. Such sensory elements permeate our consciousness adding to heightened bonding while at the same time also be a catalyst for imagination The research findings contributed to the body of knowledge as a reference point useful to scholars, researchers, medical practitioners, counselors, correctional institutions, and the general populace. The Study recommends Music Therapy as almost nil pharmacological intervention to children with Generalized Anxiety Disorder can be more effective.
Description
A Research Project Report Submitted to the School Of Law, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Department Of Psychology In The Partial Fulfilment Of The Requirements For The Award Of The Degree Of Master In Counselling Psychology Of Kenyatta University.
supervisor
Gatua Davis