Running Head: FAMILY SOLIDARITY THROUGH USE OF MUSIC How Young Adults Make Meaning of Their Family Intergenerational Solidarity Through The Use of Music by Keri Petrone M.S., Antioch University New England DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Psychology in the Department of Clinical Psychology at Antioch University New England, 2014 Keene, New Hampshire FAMILY SOLIDARITY THROUGH USE OF MUSIC ii Department of Clinical Psychology DISSERTATION COMMITTEE PAGE The undersigned have examined the dissertation entitled: HOW YOUNG ADULTS MAKE MEANING OF THEIR FAMILY INTERGENERATIONAL SOLIDARITY THROUGH MUSIC presented on April 10, 2014 by Keri Petrone Candidate for the degree of Doctor of Psychology and hereby certify that it is accepted*. Dissertation Committee Chairperson: Roger L. Peterson, PhD, ABPP Dissertation Committee members: Lorraine Mangione, PhD William Slammon, PhD Accepted by the Department of Clinical Psychology Chairperson Kathi A. Borden, PhD on 4/14/14 * Signatures are on file with the Registrar’s Office at Antioch University New England. FAMILY SOLIDARITY THROUGH USE OF MUSIC iii Dedication To my dogs Sadie, Smudge, and Bailey, and I suppose my parents and brother as well. FAMILY SOLIDARITY THROUGH USE OF MUSIC iv Acknowledgements I thank my dissertation advisor, Roger Peterson, because his guidance and support, as well as his warm-hearted, humorous, and kind nature have made this a thoughtful and rewarding journey. I would like to thank my committee members, Lorraine Mangione and William Slammon, for their enthusiasm about this study and for their hard work and dedication. I am truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with all three of them. I would also like to thank my Antioch University New England graduate school cohort—for all the laughs, support, advice, encouragement, and most of all, friendship. I have grown significantly during this experience and owe a great deal of it to you. I am indebted to Mrs. Gilliland and Mrs. Pagano from North Brunswick Township High School. They taught two of the most creative and inspiring psychology classes that I have taken, and were large factors in how I knew I was going to be a psychologist at a very young age. In addition, they provided me with emotional support during a time when I most needed it, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Most of all, I would like to thank my family. To my parents and brother: thank you for allowing me to travel six hours away from home to receive an education and to pursue my passions. I have missed you all, and I have missed a lot, but now I come home with a degree ang get to spend my time celebrating it with you. Being away from home has made me appreciate being home to the highest degree. To my dogs Smudge, Sadie and Bailey: thank you for all the kisses, tail wags, long walks on the beach, and unconditional love and support. I plan to spend the rest of my time in the state that I love (New Jersey), with the people that I love, on the beaches that I love. FAMILY SOLIDARITY THROUGH USE OF MUSIC v Table of Contents Dedication ..................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... iii Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1 ....................................................................................................................................... 2 The Project’s Position .............................................................................................................. 3 Summary of the Paper .............................................................................................................. 4 Chapter 2 ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Literature Review..................................................................................................................... 6 Introduction to Music ............................................................................................................... 6 History of Music ...................................................................................................................... 6 Current Scientific Research ..................................................................................................... 9 Memories ............................................................................................................................ 9 Emotions ............................................................................................................................. 10 Music’s influence on social behavior ................................................................................. 11 Identity and Culture ............................................................................................................ 11 Music’s uses for physical and psychological disorders ...................................................... 13 The influence social environment has one motions experienced when listening to music 13 Group Therapy .................................................................................................................... 14 Music and Spirituality ......................................................................................................... 15 Intergenerational Solidarity ..................................................................................................... 16 Relevant studies using music with families ........................................................................ 18 Young Adults – The New Developmental Stage ..................................................................... 19 Autobiographical Account ....................................................................................................... 23 Purpose of This Study .............................................................................................................. 26 Chapter 3 ....................................................................................................................................... 29 Method ..................................................................................................................................... 29 Characteristics and Rationale of Method ............................................................................ 29 Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ......................................................................... 30 Sampling and Selection.................................................................................................. 31 Ethical Considerations, Informed Consent, and Recruitment ........................................ 31 FAMILY SOLIDARITY THROUGH USE OF MUSIC vi Data, Data Collection Method, and Interview Questions .............................................. 32 Data Analysis ................................................................................................................. 34 Chapter 4 ....................................................................................................................................... 38 Results ...................................................................................................................................... 38 Participants .......................................................................................................................... 38 Demographics ..................................................................................................................... 39 General Themes .................................................................................................................. 39 Chapter 5 ....................................................................................................................................... 71 Discussion ................................................................................................................................ 71 General Themes .................................................................................................................. 71 Study’s Limitations .................................................................................................................. 80 Future Implications .................................................................................................................. 80 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 82 References ..................................................................................................................................... 84 Appendix A ................................................................................................................................... 93 Appendix B ................................................................................................................................... 98 Appendix C ................................................................................................................................... 99 Abstract This qualitative research project explores how young adults make meaning of their family intergenerational solidarity through