Effect of music therapy combined with cognitive restructuring therapy on emotional distress in a sample of Nigerian married couples

Testing the Impacts of Rational-Emotive Couple Intervention in a Sample of Parents Seeking Divorce

Marital burnout has not been extensively studied despite its huge consequences on family wellbeing and quality of family life. This study, using randomised-controlled trial, tested the impact of rational-emotive couple intervention on marital burnout in a sample of parents seeking a divorce. A total of 67 parents who participated during the rational-emotive couple intervention (RECI) were assessed using the marital burnout scale, Beck depression inventory, and parent rational and irrational beliefs scale. Crosstabulation, multivariate test analysis, and bivariate analysis were used to analyse the data collected. Results show a significant reduction of marital burnout in RECI group participants, and significant improvement was maintained at the follow-up stage. The result of the group and gender interaction effect shows no significant interaction effect of group and gender on participants' marital burnout at Time two and Time 3, respectively. The results indicate that a decrease in parents' irrational beliefs accounts for marital burnout among couples seeking a divorce. Marital burnout is positively associated with depression among couples seeking a divorce. This study concludes that the RECI is an effective intervention that reduces marital burnout which is a direct consequence of irrational beliefs which later metamorphose into depressive symptoms.

Effect of psychological intervention in cushioning work-induced stress among secondary school home economics teachers: Implications for policy and administration

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Work demands in the contemporary Nigerian work environment are a critical concern to many including occupational stress researchers. This informed the current study to investigate the effect of psychological intervention in cushioning teachers' stress in public secondary schools in Nigeria.

METHODS

A randomized control design was applied. The participants were 80 secondary school home economics teachers. They were randomized into 2 groups, that is, treatment and waitlisted arms. The former was designed as a 12-session cognitive behavior intervention while the latter was waitlisted and the members received theirs at the end of the study. Both group members were evaluated at the pretest, posttest, and follow-up test to understand the baseline of the problem, treatment outcome, and sustainability respectively. Perceived Stress Scale and Teacher irrational belief scale were used as test tools. Data from the 3-time tests were analyzed using multivariate statistic.

RESULTS

The main effect results showed a significant reduction in teachers' stress and irrational beliefs due to cognitive behavior intervention. The follow-up test results also indicate that the impactful benefit of cognitive behavioral intervention on job stress reduction was significantly sustained over time. Regarding the influence of gender, the result shows no significant influence of gender on teachers' job stress in schools.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that cognitive behavior intervention can decrease work-induced stress among secondary school home economics teachers. Therefore, the management of schools is enjoined to deploy the services of cognitive behavior therapists to monitor the mood and mental health of teachers.

A randomised controlled trial of a cognitive behaviourally informed intervention for changing violent sexual attitudes among adult sexual offenders in prison

BACKGROUND

Predatory sexual acts by adults cause concern worldwide. Patterns of distorted thinking and weakened self-control are among the leading explanations. Amidst growing concerns about sexual offences in Nigeria, it might be that more psychologically informed interventions in prison could reduce the risks of further harm compared with the standard prison regime.

AIMS

To test the effectiveness of a cognitive behaviourally informed intervention (CBII) in reducing violent sexual attitudes among men in prison in Nigeria for a sexual offence.

METHODS

In a randomised controlled trial, men in two prisons who responded to in-prison advertising about the trial were screened for nature of offence and willingness to participate. Those nearing their sentence end or in other psychological therapy were excluded. Sample size was confirmed by power calculation. The Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Inventory (CSBI-22) and the Hypersexual Behaviour Inventory (HBI) were administered before, immediately after and 3 months after completion of a 12-session (18 h) Cognitive Behavioural Informed Intervention or equivalent periods of 'treatment as usual' (TAU) alone. The CBII was designed to change sexual attitudes, and delivered by trained cognitive therapists to the men, as a group, in one of the prisons while the controls received only TAU in the other.

RESULTS

Before the intervention, the 39 men in each group had similar psychosocial histories and sexual attitude scores. Following CBII, the intervention group showed a significant reduction in scale scores that was sustained, whereas the TAU group showed no significant change in scores. An ANCOVA analysis confirmed between-group differences immediately after the intervention and 3 months later.

CONCLUSIONS

This randomised controlled trial adds to existing knowledge in the field because prior studies have been from high income countries, where interventions are generally delivered in more privacy and at greater length. Given that our study had to be limited to change in sexual attitudes as the main outcome, future research must focus on the extent to which such change maps on to changes in interpersonal behaviour among such men. If these findings can be extended in this way and replicated, this could pave the way for more cost-efficient interventions in higher income countries too.

Effect of educational music intervention on college students' aggressive behaviour

BACKGROUND

Students' aggressive behavior and its negative implications have continued to intrigue researchers. Thus, the present study examined the effect of educational music intervention in reducing aggressive behavior among college students.

METHOD

Quantitative data were collected from 30 college student participants in the treatment group and 30 college student participants in the control group using the teacher-rating of students' aggressive behaviors and self-rated aggression scale instruments. This study adopted the IBM SPSS version 25 program and JASP statistical program for data analysis.

RESULTS

The result of the study indicated that college students in the educational music group showed considerable mean decline in aggressive behavior at posttest compared to their counterparts in the control group. At follow-up, it was revealed that educational music intervention consistently reduced the college students' aggressive behavior.

CONCLUSION

Educational music intervention proved to be a helpful intervention in reducing Nigerian college students' aggressive behavior. In light of this, it would be beneficial to implement educational music intervention to reduce aggressive behavior among college students in other localities.

Effects of educational music training on music performance anxiety and stress response among first-year undergraduate music education students

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of educational music training in lowering stress and performance anxiety among first-year undergraduate music education students is an understudied area. The goal of this study was to determine if educational music training affects first-year undergraduate music education students' stress and anxiety associated with musical performance.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial design was used in this study. A waiting list group of 35 students and an educational music training intervention group of 35 first-year undergraduate music education students were randomized for the study to commence. The Kenny music performance anxiety (MPA) scale and perceived stress scale (PSS) were used as outcome measures.

RESULTS

The findings show that, among first-year undergraduate music education students, educational music training decreased their stress level associated with music performance [F(1, 68) = 390.751; P = .001, ηp2 = 0.270]. It was also found that after the educational music training, the students reported decreased anxiety level associated with music performance [F(1, 68) = 1375.495; P = .001, ηp2 = 0.344]. Significant interaction effects of educational music training and time on students' stress [F(2, 68) = 127.301; P = .001] and anxiety levels [F(2, 68) = 260.535; P = .001] were also found.

CONCLUSION

Educational music intervention can be successful as a means of reducing anxiety and stress in undergraduate music education students during the first year of study.

Effect of educational music intervention on emotion regulation skills of first-year university music education students

BACKGROUND

Making music and listening to music have been found to contribute to positive mental health. In this study, we examined whether educational music intervention improved emotion regulation skills among first-year university music education students.

METHODS

The design of the study consisted of a randomized controlled trial with a treatment group as well as a control group. Students were randomly distributed to an intervention group and a control group. Students in the intervention group participated in twice-weekly group sessions for 8 weeks that discussed problem-solving skills, calming techniques, and retraining attributions. Instruments for data collection were; the Emotion Regulation Skills Scale and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Results demonstrate that educational music intervention can facilitate the development of emotional regulation skills in undergraduate students majoring in music education.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of this study, educational music intervention is effective in enhancing emotional regulation among first-year undergraduate music education students. The educational music program provides participants with the opportunity to enhance their ability to regulate their emotions.

Intervention for Treating Depression in Parents of Children with Intellectual Disability of Down's Syndrome: A Sample of Nigerian Parents

A good number of parents of children with Down syndrome are prone to depressive disorders. The depressive feelings are attributed to negative perceptions of the situation, self, and the future. Given this, we explored the impact of the family health model of rational-emotive behavior therapy on depressive symptoms in parents of children with intellectual disability of Down syndrome in the COVID-19 pandemic era. This is a randomized pretest-posttest control group design that recruited 88 parents of children with intellectual disability of Down syndrome. We measured the depressive symptoms in parents at Time 1, Time 2, and Time 3 using the Beck depressive inventory and Hamilton depression rating scale. We adopted a family health model rational emotive behaviour therapy intervention in treating the depressive symptoms affecting the parents. The analysis of covariate results showed that at initial assessment there was no significant difference between the treatment group and comparison group at baseline evaluation of depressive symptoms in participants. At the posttest, it had a significant effect on the intervention on participants' depressive symptoms. Likewise, a follow-up result still shows that intervention had a significant effect on participants' depressive symptoms of participants. In conclusion, this study suggests that treatment variable accounted for the effect in decreasing depressive symptoms scores of participants.

Testing the Efficacy of Family Health-Model of REBT on Family Values and Quality of Family Life Among Parents of Children with Visual Impairment

The high rate of negative thinking in family circles due to the presence of children with visual impairment has grossly affects the quality of family life. In the case of Nigeria, low quality of family life is prevalent among parents of children with visual loss. This study attempts to validate the efficacy of a rational emotional family health therapy in addressing family values and quality of life among parents of children with visual impairment in Enugu state Nigeria. A group randomized controlled design, participants comprised 132 parents whose children were living with visual impairment in Enugu state, Nigeria. The participants in REFHP-group were exposed to a 12-session treatment programme whereas their counterparts in the waitlisted control group did not receive this intervention. Two measures-Family Quality of Life Scale and Family Value Scale were utilized in assessing the participants at three time points. Data analyses were completed using repeated measures ANOVA. Findings revealed that rational emotive family health therapy had a significantly positive effect on increasing family values and quality of family life among the study participants of the treatment group. This study contributes to the scholarship on the efficacy of rational emotive family health therapy in improving family values and quality of family life among parents of children with visual impairment.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Relationship Distress: Meta-analysis of RCTs with Social Work Implications

PURPOSE

The purpose of the present meta-analysis is twofold: 1) determine the aggregated statistical effect of cognitive-behavioral couples therapy (CBCT) for relationship distress in randomized controlled trials and 2) use the findings to inform clinical social work practice and research.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted using electronic databases and the reference lists of included studies. The random effects model meta-analysis used a hedges' g effect size.

RESULTS

After the removal of an outlier, a homogeneous (Q = 16.66, df = 12, p = .16, I ² = 27.96), significant, moderate effect favoring CBCT (Hedges' g summary effect = .421, Z = 4.51, p < .0001, 95% confidence interval: 0.238 to 0.604, standard error = .093, variance = .009, k =  13) was obtained.

DISCUSSION

It is anticipated that cognitive-behavioral/evidence-based social work clinicians and researchers will use the findings to support their clinical practice and advance their clinical research, respectively.

Efficacy of music-based cognitive behavior therapy on the management of test-taking behavior of children in basic science using a randomized trial group: Implication for community development

BACKGROUND

This study sought the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy-based music group (CBT-Music) intervention program on primary school children's test-taking behavior in Southeast Nigeria.

METHODS

A pretest, posttest randomized controlled trial experimental design was adopted for the study using a sample of 53 primary three (3) children. A test-taking behavior questionnaire was used for data collection. The instrument was face validated by test development experts. Construct validation of the instrument was done by subjecting the instrument to factor analysis after trial testing. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-test and paired samples t-test.

RESULTS

The findings of the study revealed that CBT-Music had a significant effect on the management of test-taking behavior of among children. Furthermore, the test-taking scores of children in the music-based CBT group were significantly lower than those in the control group at the follow-up measure. This implies that the test-taking behavior of the children can be better managed using the CBT-music intervention program to enable the children to grow better academically and contribute to the community they belong to.

CONCLUSION

Music-based CBT demonstrated significant efficacy in the management of children's test-taking behavior. Thus, primary school teachers should be enlightened on how to make use of CBT-Music in the management of test-taking behavior among children.

Effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy with music therapy in reducing physics test anxiety among students as measured by generalized test anxiety scale

BACKGROUND

The study determined the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with music in reducing physics test anxiety among secondary school students as measured by generalized test anxiety scale.

METHODS

Pre-test post-test randomized control trial experimental design was adopted in this study. A total of 83 senior secondary students including male (n = 46) and female (n = 37) from sampled secondary schools in Enugu State, Nigeria, who met the inclusion criteria constituted participants for the study. A demographic questionnaire and a 48-item generalized test anxiety scale were used for data collection for the study. Subjects were randomized into treatment and control groups. The treatment group was exposed to a 12-week CBT-music program. Thereafter, the participants in the treatment group were evaluated at 3 time points. Data collected were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance.

RESULTS

The participants who were exposed to CBT-music intervention program significantly had lower test anxiety scores at the post-treatment than the participants in the control group. Furthermore, the test anxiety scores of the participants in the CBT-music group were significantly lower than those in the control group at the follow-up measure. Thus, the results showed a significant effect of CBT with music in reducing physics test anxiety among secondary school students.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that CBT-music program has a significant benefit in improving the management of physics test anxiety among secondary school students.

Effects of group cognitive-behavioral therapy on psychological distress of awaiting-trial prison inmates

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The level of psychological distress among awaiting-trial inmates is rapidly increasing in Nigeria. Studies have recommended increasing attention and additional psychological intervention that could improve the psychological wellbeing of prisoners. This study evaluates the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on psychological distress among awaiting-trial prison inmates in Nigeria.

METHODS

A total of 34 awaiting-trial prison inmates in Enugu state Nigeria were used as the study participants. Two measures (perceived emotional distress inventory and general health Questionnaire) were used for data collection. Repeated measures with analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to examine the effects of the intervention. Effect sizes were also reported with partial Eta Squared ((Equation is included in full-text article.)).

RESULTS

The result showed that there was no significant difference in psychological distress between the treatment and no-intervention groups. The results showed that CBT had a significant effect on psychological distress of awaiting-trial prison inmates when compared to their counterparts in the no-intervention group at Time 2. Additionally, the efficacy of CBT on the psychological distress of awaiting-trial prison inmates was significantly sustained at the follow-up measurements (Time 3).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective intervention for decreasing psychological distress among awaiting-trial prison inmates. Additionally, the impactful benefit of the intervention can persist in overtime. Therefore, cognitive behavioral therapists can further explore the efficacy of CBT using various cultures.

Impact of rational emotive occupational health coaching on work-related stress management among staff of Nigeria police force

BACKGROUND

Empirical studies indicated that job-related stress is threatening the well-being of Nigerian public workers. The objective of this investigation was to examine the impact of REOHC for improving work-stress management among Staff of Nigeria Police Force in southeast Nigeria.

METHOD

This is a pretest-posttest control group design study with follow-up. A total of 63 Nigerian police officers (randomized into one of 2 groups: n = 32 for treatment group, n = 31 for waitlist control group) completed the study. Two self-report questionnaire measuring organizational and operational stressors associated with police general well-being were used as outcome measures. The intervention group received a 12-week REBC manual intervention. The intervention and waitlisted groups were evaluated at 3-time points: Time1, Time2, and Time3. Statistical analyses were achieved using repeated-measures ANOVA.

RESULTS

Results showed that there was no significant difference between the REOHC group and waiting-list control group in initial work-related stress management among staff of Nigerian Police Force. REOHC program had a significant effect on work-related stress management among staff of Nigerian Police Force when compared to their counterparts in the waiting-list control group.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, REOHC program is a time-effective treatment approach for improving work-stress management among Staff of Nigeria Police Force in southeast Nigeria.

Randomized controlled evaluation of the effect of music therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy on social anxiety symptoms

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the effects of music therapy with cognitive behavioral therapy on social anxiety in a sample of schooling adolescents in south-east Nigeria.

METHODS

We adopted a randomized controlled trial design involving a treatment group and a waiting-list control group. A total of 155 schooling adolescents served as the study sample. The sample size was ascertained using GPower software. A 12-week MTCBP manual for social anxiety was employed to deliver the intervention. Data analyses were completed using repeated measures analysis of variance.

RESULTS

We found that social anxiety significantly decreased in the treatment group over time, whereas the waitlist control group showed no significant changes in social anxiety. Therefore, music therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy was significantly beneficial in decreasing social anxiety symptoms of the treatment group. The follow-up assessment performed after 3 months revealed a significant reduction in social anxiety for the treatment group.

CONCLUSION

The study, therefore, suggests that the use of music therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy is significant in reducing social anxiety among schooling adolescents.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Musical Cognitive Restructuring App for Black Inner-City Girls: Survey, Usage, and Focus Group Evaluation

BACKGROUND

Research on mobile health (mHealth) app use during adolescence is growing; however, little attention has been paid to black adolescents, particularly black girls, who are generally underresearched and underserved in psychological intervention research. Cognitive restructuring is an important tool in anxiety and fear management and involves two parts: (1) recognizing and deconstructing erroneous thoughts and (2) replacing negative anxiety and stress-provoking thoughts with positive thoughts. In our work with black adolescent females, we found that cognitive restructuring is a difficult skill to practice on one's own. Thus, drawing upon the importance of music in the black community, we developed the Build Your Own Theme Song (BYOTS) app to deliver a musical form of the technique to middle-school black girls.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim in this mixed methods study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the BYOTS app. We hypothesize that participants will expect the app to be effective in reducing negative thoughts and that the app will meet their expectations and data generated from the app will demonstrate a reduction in negative thinking and anxiety.

METHODS

A total of 72 black or biracial seventh- and eighth-grade adolescent females were enrolled in Sisters United Now (SUN), an eight-session culturally infused and app-augmented stress and anxiety sister circle intervention. Before using the BYOTS app, girls completed the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children 2 and the App Expectations Survey. Usage data collected from the app included an assessment of negative thinking before and after listening to their song. After completion of the intervention, focus groups were held to gather qualitative data on participants' app experience.

RESULTS

Results using paired sample t tests indicated negative thinking was significantly lower at day 7 than day 1 (t31=1.69, P=.05). Anxiety from preuse to postuse of the app was also reduced (t38=2.82, P=.004). Four effectiveness themes emerged from the focus groups: difference in behavior and temperament, promoted calmness, helpfulness in stressful home situations, and focused thinking via the SUN theme song.

CONCLUSIONS

The BYOTS app is a useful tool for delivering musical cognitive restructuring to reduce negative thinking and anxiety in an underserved urban population. Changes were supported both quantitatively and qualitatively. Participants, their peers, and their family noted the difference. Findings support expanding the research to black girls of various socioeconomic statuses and geographic diversity. Currently, the app augments SUN, a culturally relevant intervention. Future research will explore BYOTS as a stand-alone app.