Compared to other kinds of caregivers, caregivers of persons living with dementia (PwD) are at higher risk of experiencing social isolation, emotional distress, and depressive symptoms which can adversely affect their psychosocial well-being. This study uses longitudinal data and multilevel modeling to explore trajectories of change over the course of a choir intervention in affect, social engagement, and caregiver distress. A multilevel coupled model of change was employed to examine two time-varying associations within-person and between-persons: (1) the association between social activities and affect, and (2) the association between caregiver distress and affect. The social activities coupling model (between-persons) found that increasing engagement in social activities was significantly associated with an increase in positive affect. The caregiver distress coupling model (within-person) found that higher levels of caregiver distress were significantly associated with decreases in positive affect. The caregiver distress coupling model (between-persons) found that higher levels of caregiver distress were significantly associated with increases in negative affect. The choir intervention may have a positive impact on caregiver psychosocial well-being but there are many factors to consider (i.e., dementia trajectory) that influence psychosocial well-being. This study advances our understanding of the impact of an arts-based intervention (i.e., community-based choir) as a source of support for caregivers of PwD. Findings can inform efforts to develop community art-based programs to support family caregivers. / Graduate / 2021-12-10

There are a number of organisations offering Employee Wellness Programs (EWPs) to South African companies, while other businesses have established their own in-house EWPs. Broadly speaking, EWPs are designed to promote employee wellbeing in order to increase productivity. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to determine whether a music therapy intervention could address employee wellness needs. A single music therapy workshop was conducted with five participants who were employees at a South African Employee Wellness Organisation. The workshop comprised active and receptive music therapy techniques. Participants were interviewed in a focus group after the workshop. Data were prepared by means of thick description and transcription and were analysed using thematic analysis. The following themes were identified: ‘making and feeling connections’, ‘navigating boundaries, ambiguity and change’, ‘quality of group music-making’, ‘the workshop experience’, ‘personal development’ and ‘team building’. Findings indicate that the music therapy intervention addressed wellness needs associated with personal development and team building. Reflection was shown to have a significant relationship with both personal development and team building. Other notable relationships within these categories included stress-relief, acknowledging diversity and increased trust in the group. A model was proposed illustrating the embedded and interconnected conditions present during the workshop that addressed the employee wellness needs of team building and personal development. / Dissertation (MMus)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Music / MMus / Unrestricted