Date
7-22-2025
Department
School of Music
Degree
Doctor of Music Education (DME)
Chair
Thomas Goddard
Keywords
mental illness, collegiate music ensemble participation, mental well-being, coping, music performance anxiety, Eastern Arizona College
Disciplines
Music
Recommended Citation
DeSpain, Geoffrey D., "An Investigation of Mental Well-Being of Music Ensemble Participants at Eastern Arizona College: A Case Study" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7173.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7173
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the experiences of collegiate music ensemble students with mental illness and if music ensemble participation helped them cope. Students have indicated that participating in a music ensemble or listening to music has helped them cope with perceived or diagnosed mental illness such as depression and anxiety. Music students at Eastern Arizona College (EAC), a rural community college in Thatcher, Arizona, expressed their mental health struggles with band and choir directors. Some students have sought help through the counseling department. Many students do not seek help in any form. This qualitative case study aimed to determine if music can help students cope with mental illness, if participating in a music ensemble or listening to music can help students cope with mental illness, and if participating in a music ensemble can positively affect students with mental illness. The study collected data from a developed survey administered to current and former band, choir, and orchestra students from 2021 to Spring of 2025. The rationale for this study is to build on previous research about college students’ mental health and how ensemble music and listening to music can help students cope.
