The Relationship Between Caretakers’ Music Preferences and the Perceived Music Preferences of Adults with Developmental Disabilities.
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Author
Brockington, Debra
Date
2010
Degree
Master of Arts in Music Therapy
Abstract
Adults with developmental disabilities are a unique population. They are accorded by
law all the rights to make decisions for themselves but many times lack the ability to do so.
In this situation, they are dependent on those they come in contact with to provide
opportunities for recreation and social activities. The goal of this study was to determine if
music preference was influenced by the people this population came in contact with most
often: their direct care staff. The participants for this study were the direct care staff of a long
term intermediate care facility for adults with developmental disabilities. Participants were
asked to complete a survey indicating their music preferences and what they believe the
music preferences are of the adults for whom they care. Demographic information was
collected for all participating residents and staff. Results were given a binary code and a
mean was obtained to determine music preferences for each of the residents and for the entire
group of participants and residents. A Pearson’s r value was calculated to determine if a
correlation exists, possibly indicating the staff had an influence on the music preferences of
the residents. Based on the data, influences by individuals played less of a role in
determining music preferences than did each person’s demographic status. Other
undetermined factors also had an influence in the music preferences of some individuals
which were stronger than what the demographic would indicate. Future research in this area
should include others involved with this population and should be repeated over a period of
time.