Abstract:
A qualitative research project was conducted to explore experiences of co-worker trust,
relatedness and vitality through a short-term Music Therapy intervention designed to promote
well-being. Thirteen adults who work at a branch of a South African bank in the Cape
Winelands in the Western Cape Province of South Africa participated in the study. Six Music
Therapy sessions were conducted in work time. Focus groups were conducted before and
after the intervention. Data were generated by means of transcription of the focus groups, and
thick description of selected Music Therapy session video clips. Data were analysed by means
of content analysis through data-driven, open coding, followed by two levels of categorisation
and theme extraction (Ansdell & Pavlicevic, 2001; Gibbs, 2007; Graneham & Lundman, 2004;
Hsieh & Shannon, 2005; Punch, 1998). Findings suggest that participants experienced
meaningful shifts in experience on all three of the identified focus construct dimensions, as
well as on the dimensions of individual competence and autonomy. Further emerging
questions were explored regarding the transferability of gains made in the Music Therapy
space to the work context. It was proposed that increased experiences of autonomy,
competence, and vitality in the therapy space supported the development of trust and enriched
relatedness across both work and therapy contexts. Trust and relatedness gains were
proposed to be longer-lasting. A progression of relatedness development phases was
proposed, through which participants may have been able to achieve notable outcomes
pertaining to improved communication, decreased conflict, increased cooperation and interpersonal
support.
