Veteran Participation in Operation Song: Exploring Resiliency in a Songwriting Experience

Danielle E. Lauber; Steven Estes; Michael Sherr

doi:10.21061/jvs.v8i3.363

Veteran Participation in Operation Song: Exploring Resiliency in a Songwriting Experience

Journal of Veterans Studies

Volume 8 (2022): Issue 3

By: Danielle E. Lauber , Steven Estes and Michael Sherr

Open Access

|Oct 2022

Abstract

This study takes a phenomenological approach to explore the experience of Operation Song, a United States nonprofit organization’s songwriting program for military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Six participants completed semi-structured interviews to identify the structural, textural, and composite descriptions of the Operation Song experience. Findings were analyzed through an interpretive phenomenological analysis, which led to themes describing the essence as a “catalyst to invoke personal change.” When restructured for this article, original key themes describing the overall experience were reestablished as a setting that promoted authenticity, trusted social support, uniquely skilled songwriters, songwriting, and listening to the songs. Through a review of the biopsychosocial impacts of trauma and resiliency factors, this study offers a unique outlook supporting social and creative experiences as complementary mechanisms to enhance treatment outcomes for military veterans with PTSD.

References

Baker, F. A., Rickard, N., Tamplin, J., & Roddy, C. (2015). Flow and meaningfulness as mechanisms of change in self-concept and well-being following a songwriting intervention for people in the early phase of neurorehabilitation. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 9, 1–10. DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00299
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bensimon, M., Amir, D., & Wolf, Y. (2012). A pendulum between trauma and life: Group music therapy with post-traumatized soldiers. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 39, 223–233. DOI: 10.1016/J.AIP.2012.03.005
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bremner, J. D. (2006). Traumatic stress: Effects on the brain. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 8(4), 445–461. DOI: 10.31887/DCNS.2006.8.4/jbremner
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Caddick, N., Phoenix, C., & Smith, B. (2015). Collective stories and well-being: Using a dialogical narrative approach to understand peer relationships among combat veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Health Psychology, 20(3). DOI: 10.1177/1359105314566612
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cai, W., Ding, C., Tang, Y. L., Wu, S., & Yang, D. (2014). Effects of social supports on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder symptoms: Moderating role of perceived safety. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 6(6), 724–730. DOI: 10.1037/a0036342
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Carr, C., d’Ardenne, P., Sloboda, A., Scott, C., Wang, D., & Priebe, S. (2012). Group music therapy for patients with persistent post-traumatic stress disorder—An exploratory randomized controlled trial with mixed methods evaluation. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice (2012), 85, 179–202. DOI: 10.1111/j.2044-8341.2011.02026.x
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Clandin, D. J. (2013). Introduction. In J. M. Morse (Ed.), Engaging in narrative inquiry (pp. 9–31). Left Coast Press, Inc.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Five qualitative approaches to inquiry. In H. Salmon, J. Scappini, L. Larson, & M. Markanich (Eds.), Qualitative inquiry & research design (pp. 75–82). SAGE Publications, Inc.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Daniels, L. R., Boehnlein, J. K., & McCallion, P. (2015). Life-review and PTSD community counseling with two groups of Vietnam War veterans. Traumatology, 21(3), 161–171. DOI: 10.1037/trm0000045
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Friedman, M. J. (n.d.). Trauma and stress-related disorders in the DSM-5 [PowerPoint]. International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. https://www.istss.org/ISTSS_Main/media/Webinar_Recordings/RECFREE01/slides.pdf
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hoge, C. W., Castro, C. A., Messer, S. C., McGurk, D., Cotting, D. I., & Koffman, R. L. (2004). Combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, mental health problems, and barriers to care. The New England Journal of Medicine, 351(1), 13–22. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa040603
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lauber, D. E. (2018). Veteran participation in Operation Song: Exploring songwriting as a therapeutic intervention (Publication No.10838397) [Master’s thesis, Middle Tennessee State University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. https://jewlscholar.mtsu.edu/handle/mtsu/5800
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Musemeche, C. (2017). The medical lessons of war. EMS World. https://www.emsworld.com/article/217939/medical-lessons-war
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Operation Song. (n.d.). Bringing them back, one song at a time. http://www.operationsong.org/mission/
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Orth, J. (2005). Music therapy with traumatized refugees in a clinical setting. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 5(2), 1–14. DOI: 10.15845/voices.v5i2.227
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pai, A., Suris, A. M., & North, C. S. (2017). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in the DSM-5: Controversy, change, and conceptual considerations. Behavioral Sciences, 7(1), 1–7. DOI: 10.3390/bs7010007
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Palys, T. (2008). Purposive sampling. In L. M. Given (Ed.), The Sage encyclopedia of qualitative research methods, 2, 697–698. Sage. https://www.sfu.ca/~palys/Purposive%20sampling.pdf
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pew Research Center. (2011). The military-civilian gap war and sacrifice in the post-9/11 era. https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2011/10/veterans-report.pdf
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Polkinghorne, D. (1988). Narrative knowing and the human sciences. State University of New York Press.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sayer, N. A., Noorbaloochi, S., Frazier, P., Carlson, K., Gravely, A., & Murdoch, M. (2010). Reintegration problems and treatment interests among Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans receiving VA medical care. Psychiatric Services, 61(6) 589–597. DOI: 10.1176/ps.2010.61.6.589
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Simmons, A., & Yoder, L. (2013). Military resilience: A concept analysis. Nursing Forum, 48(1), 17–25. DOI: 10.1111/nuf.12007
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Smith, B. N., Vogt, D., Wang, J. M., Vaughn-Coaxum, R. A., & Di Leone, B. A. L. (2017). The role of postdeployment social factors in linking deployment experiences and current posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology among male and female veterans. Anxiety, Stress and Coping, 30(1), 39–51. DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2016.1188201
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Tamplin, J., Baker, F. A., Macdonald, R. A., Roddy, C., & Rickard, N. S. (2016). A theoretical framework and therapeutic songwriting protocol to promote integration of self-concept in people with acquired neurological injuries. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 25(2), 111–133. DOI: 10.1080/08098131.2015.1011208
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
US Department of Veterans Affairs. (2016). How common is PTSD. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/ptsd-overview/basics/how-common-is-ptsd.asp
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Vella, E. J., Milligan, B., & Bennett, J. L. (2013). Participation in outdoor recreation program predicts improved psychological well-being among veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A pilot study. Military Medicine, 178(3), 354–360. DOI: 10.7205/MILMED-D-12-00308
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Young, S., Ondek, G., & Phillips, G. A. (2022). Stranger in a strange land: A qualitative exploration of veteranness. Journal of Veterans Studies, 8(1), 175–185. DOI: 10.21061/jvs.v8i1.308
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v8i3.363 | Journal eISSN: 2470-4768

Journal RSS Feed

Language: English

Page range: 170 - 181

Submitted on: Jun 16, 2022

Accepted on: Sep 12, 2022

Published on: Oct 19, 2022

Published by: Virginia Tech Publishing

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

PTSD,

songwriting,

resiliency,

complementary and alternative therapy,

veterans,

qualitative

© 2022 Danielle E. Lauber, Steven Estes, Michael Sherr, published by Virginia Tech Publishing
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 8 (2022): Issue 3