Experiences of song writing in a group programme for mothers who had experienced childhood abuse

Abstract

This article reports the reflections of five women who participated in a group programme that incorporated the technique of song writing. In particular, the women reflect on their experiences of a song writing process and how they engage with their song creations some time after the completion of the programme. The programme this qualitative research is based on was a parenting support programme for women who had experienced childhood abuse. It utilized the technique of song writing to assist participants who had had histories of abuse as children and who were currently struggling in their parenting roles. In-depth interviews were conducted with five programme participants three years after completion of the programme. All participants reflected positively on the process of creating their songs and most reported they continued to engage with their song creations present day.