Effect of Interactive Media-Based Music and Art Therapies on Reduction in PTSD Symptoms in Children and Adult Victims of Abduction.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of music and art therapies in reducing symptoms of PTSD among children and adults with abduction experiences in Nigeria. The study was a quasi-experiment with a pre-test, post-test and follow-up assessment design. The participants were divided into control (n = 107), music therapy (n = 108) and art therapy (n = 108) groups. The result of the ANCOVA analysis revealed no significant interactive effect of family happiness on the relationship between the interventions and reduction in PTSD symptoms, F(1,295)0.037 p = 0.848). However, there was a significant main effect of the treatment condition and PTSD scores of the participants at Times 1, 2, and 3, respectively F(1,295). 1640.756, p = 0.001). The degree of the relationship was assessed using partial eta squared, which yielded (η_p²= 0.848). It was also found that music therapy was more effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in children, while art therapy was more effective in reducing PTSD in adults. The result of this study could be useful for psychologists and mental health experts who may be interested in designing and implementing interventions targeting children and adults with PTSD symptoms. The result also has implications for control mastery theory by showing that music and art therapies could be useful in helping adults and children gain control of their minds after exposure to traumatic events.