Example psychotherapy dissertation topic 4:

The effect of different forms of music on mood-disordered adolescents, with particular emphasis on anxiety disorders.

Building on the findings of Gold, Voracek and Wigram, this dissertation undertakes primary research in trialling different forms of modern music with three groups of adolescents. A significant aspect of the project is that it does not utilise musical genres that have already been extensively used in such experiments, and musical forms to which the subjects themselves are unlikely to have been previously exposed. The music forms include: sufi rock, bit pop, acid trance, vocaloid, levenslied, Piedmont blues, and low bap. The focus of the investigation will be on behavioural and self-concept aspects of the music’s effects, to determine which, if either, can be modified to optimal benefit.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Gold, C., Voracek, M. and Wigram, T. (2004). ‘Effects of music therapy for children and adolescents with psychopathology: A meta-analysis’. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, vol. 45, pp. 1054-1063.
• Gold, C., Wigram, T. and Voracek, M. (2007). ‘Effectiveness of music therapy for children and adolescents with psychopathology: A quasi-experimental study’. Psychotherapy Research, vol. 17(3), pp. 289-296.
• Gold, C., Wigram, T. and Voracek, M. (2007). ‘Predictors of change in music therapy with children and adolescents: The role of therapeutic techniques’. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, vol. 80, pp. 577-589.