Researcher ORCID Identifier

0000-0003-3730-0077

Graduation Year

2023

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Psychology

Reader 1

Jennifer Groscup

Reader 2

Jillian Janowiak

Terms of Use & License Information

Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

Rights Information

© 2023 Isabelle M Saad

Abstract

Latinx comprise the largest racial group within the U.S. population, and particularly within California prisons. Psycholegal research indicates that this has been influenced by racially-biased eliminations during jury selection and a prevalence of interpersonal violence experiences. Moreover, Latinas and specifically Chicanas have been found to possess among the highest percentages of mental illnesses and a significant under-utilization of mental health resources in US prisons. Despite this, little research exists on the psychological experiences of and treatments for Latina and Chicana prisoners. This study seeks to fill these gaps by investigating the association between Collective Songwriting Workshop participation and well-being – positive and negative affect as well as life satisfaction – for Latina and Chicana prisoners. In this 12-week study, participants will complete an initial online survey on past musical and cultural experiences before attending their first workshop in the California Institute for Women, led by musicians with a background in Community Music Therapy. The participants will complete weekly surveys measuring well-being before and after attending the remaining workshops. It is expected that greater involvement in Collective Songwriting workshops will be positively associated with higher well-being levels; those with more musical and Collective Songwriting experience will also display higher well-being levels. These results would support the findings of previous research on similar songwriting treatments. Informing more about the distinct experiences of the target population and effectiveness of Collective Songwriting as an intervention, this research will hopefully encourage greater attention to and support towards this community in both psycholegal and general societal spaces.

Download

This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

Share

COinS