A profile of needs : Music Therapy with HIV infected children in a South African institution

Abstract

This dissertation profiles the needs of abandoned or orphaned, HIV affected or infected children living in a South African institution. The purpose of my research is to identify the needs of the children; then identify how the staff within the institution perceive that they provide for these needs; and lastly look at what Music Therapy as a discipline can offer the children in regards to the needs identified. Interviews with fulltime and part-time staff members suggest that the needs of the children relate mainly to a lack of individual attention. Inconsistent quality of care and limited opportunities for forming attachments to specific caregivers were identified foremost as resulting in difficulties with forming and maintaining relationships and social functioning with peer members and staff members, in the institutional social cultural context. The therapeutic relationship offered to the children in Music therapy sessions offers opportunities to address the individual and social needs identified.