A developmental formative evaluation of a pilot participatory music program for veterans with housing insecurity

Sally Wasmuth; Nicholas A Rattray; Phillip Cheng; Shannon Crow; Jennifer Myers; Debra S Burns; Laura J Myers; Brittany Hook; Anne Lustig; Anthony J Perkins; Ariel J Cheatham; Dawn M Bravata

doi:10.1186/s12889-023-16427-8

A developmental formative evaluation of a pilot participatory music program for veterans with housing insecurity

BMC Public Health. 2023 Aug 19;23(1):1583. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-16427-8.

Authors

Sally Wasmuth¹, Nicholas A Rattray^{2

3

4

5}, Phillip Cheng⁶, Shannon Crow², Jennifer Myers^{2

3}, Debra S Burns⁷, Laura J Myers^{2

3

4}, Brittany Hook⁸, Anne Lustig⁸, Anthony J Perkins^{2

9}, Ariel J Cheatham^{2

3}, Dawn M Bravata^{10

11

12

13

14}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Occupational Therapy, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
² Department of Veteran Affairs, Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Precision Monitoring to Transform Care (PRISM) Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI), United States, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, HSR&D Mail Code 11H, 1481 West 10th Street, IN, 46202, Indianapolis, USA.
³ HSR&D Center for Health Information and Communication (CHIC), United States Department of Veteran Affairs, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
⁴ Department of Internal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
⁵ Department of Anthropology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
⁶ School of Medicine, Indiana University, IN, Indianapolis, USA.
⁷ Department of Music and Arts Technology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
⁸ United States Department of Veteran Affairs, Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans Program (DCHV), IN, Indianapolis, USA.
⁹ Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
¹⁰ Department of Veteran Affairs, Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Precision Monitoring to Transform Care (PRISM) Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI), United States, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, HSR&D Mail Code 11H, 1481 West 10th Street, IN, 46202, Indianapolis, USA. Dawn.Bravata2@va.gov.
¹¹ HSR&D Center for Health Information and Communication (CHIC), United States Department of Veteran Affairs, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA. Dawn.Bravata2@va.gov.
¹² Department of Internal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA. Dawn.Bravata2@va.gov.
¹³ Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA. Dawn.Bravata2@va.gov.
¹⁴ Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN, USA. Dawn.Bravata2@va.gov.

Abstract

Background: Interventions are needed to improve well-being and promote community reintegration among Veterans with housing insecurity. The objective was to conduct a developmental formative evaluation of a participatory music program.

Methods: This single-site, pilot study implemented a participatory music program at a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Homeless Domiciliary that included one-hour sessions (group music instruction and ensemble playing), 3 times per week for 3 months. Intervention development was guided by the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO). Evaluation was guided by the MOHO and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Evaluation (CFIR). Qualitative data were collected via semi-structured interviews from participants and non-participants, and were analyzed using an interdisciplinary, constant comparison qualitative analysis technique.

Results: Sixteen program participants and 8 non-participants were enrolled, age range 26-59 (mean 41; standard deviation, 11) years; 75% were White. The sample for this study (N = 12) included five participants and seven non-participants. Semi-structured interview responses produced three salient themes illuminating Veterans' perspectives: (1) key characteristics of the intervention (the relative advantage of the participatory program over other problem-focused programs; the importance of a supportive, encouraging teaching; the group setting; the role of music); (2) the therapeutic power of the program (based on it being enjoyable; and serving as an escape from preoccupations); and (3) the context and culture (which included Veterans supporting each other and the Domiciliary setting).

Conclusions: Veterans described the benefits of a participatory music intervention compared to problem-based groups, which included enjoyment, skill acquisition facilitating pride, escape, reconnecting with their identity prior to current problems, and experiencing positive aspects of Veteran culture such as mutual support and discipline. These data support ongoing research about participatory music programs to support Veterans with housing insecurity.

Keywords: Formative evaluation; Homelessness; Housing insecurity; Music education.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Adult
Housing Instability
Humans
Middle Aged
Music*
Pilot Projects
Pleasure
United States
Veterans*