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Music therapy for improving mental health problems of offenders in correctional settings: systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of music therapy on improving the mental health of offenders in correctional settings.

Methods

Multiple databases and journals were searched to identify randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled trials of music therapy for offenders in correctional settings.

Results

Five studies (n = 409; predominantly male) were included in random-effects meta-analyses. Music therapy was effective for promoting offenders’ self-esteem (Hedges’ g = 0.55, p < 0.001) and social functioning (g = 0.35, p < 0.05). Effects on anxiety and depression depended on the number of sessions. For both outcomes, the studies with 20 or more sessions had larger effects than the study that had fewer than 20 sessions, and this difference was statistically significant (Q = 11.88, df = 1, p < 0.001, anxiety; Q = 9.16, df = 1, p = 0.002, depression). No significant effects were found on behavior management or between different music therapy approaches.

Conclusions

Music therapy may be helpful for offenders to improve mental health. Future studies should consider including offenders of both genders, using larger sample sizes, and examining long-term effects. Publication bias may be an issue for this review given the small number of studies and the small sample sizes.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the help of the Cochrane Developmental, Psychosocial and Learning Problems Group (CDPLPG) with the methodological questions as well as with providing search results.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Communication and Psychology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark

    Xi Jing Chen & Helen Leith

  2. Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway

    Leif Edvard Aarø

  3. Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Terje Manger

  4. GAMUT—The Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway

    Christian Gold

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  1. Xi Jing Chen
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  2. Helen Leith
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  4. Terje Manger
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christian Gold.

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Note: Co-author H.L. died after the initial submission of this manuscript, but before the publication of its final version. The remaining authors would like to acknowledge her contribution to the conduct and preparation of this work. She did approve the initial submitted version of the manuscript.

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Chen, X.J., Leith, H., Aarø, L.E. et al. Music therapy for improving mental health problems of offenders in correctional settings: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Exp Criminol 12, 209–228 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-015-9250-y

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