Beatrix van Doorn: Music sharing and quality of life for caregivers of people with dementia

Field of study: Music Therapy/Music and Health

Informal caregivers of persons living with dementia at home are a rapidly growing group in Norway. The study aims to contribute to knowledge on how group music therapy can affect the quality of life for caregivers of persons with dementia.

The research question is:

How does participating in a music-sharing group affect the quality of life, sense of meaning, mastery, and caregiver burden for informal caregivers of people with dementia living at home?

The study will involve group music therapy interventions where informal caregivers share music with each other, discuss the music, and build relationships with others in similar life situations.

The study will employ a mixed-methods design, using standardized questionnaires, individual interviews and focus group interviews. The results will be analysed and discussed in relation to existing research on music therapy for caregivers.

The project is situated within a hermeneutic framework and based on humanistic music therapy tradition, which includes a resource-oriented and relational view of humanity, as well as a contextual understanding of music.

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Beatrix van Doorn is enrolled in the PhD Programme in Music Research from 1 September 2025.