Assessment of Songwriting Interventions Using BPNSS: A Study on In-Patient Recovery and Self-Determination

This study examines the viability of songwriting as a recovery intervention for patients in a mental health hospital setting. Using the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Scale (BPNSS) as a tool for measuring one’s sense of autonomy, relatedness and competence, first-time participants were asked to complete the scale before and directly following a one-hour songwriting group, with open-text questions included in the post-intervention scale. Forty-nine participants from two different in-patient units - Crisis and Critical Care (CCC) and Medical Withdrawal Services (MWS) - volunteered to take part in the study. Results indicated that participants from CCC only saw a statistically significant increase in competence scores, with open-text responses from both units supporting this finding. Common sentiments from open-text responses included growth in confidence and self belief, elevation in mood and expression of emotions through creative practice. Developing competence can be important when entering into recovery, and can lead to an increase in confidence. While the initial findings from this pilot study are promising, further research is needed to determine the efficacy of songwriting as a mental health intervention.