Vicky Abad - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Vicky Abad

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of Music Therapy to Promote Positive Parenting

The effectiveness of a 10-week group music therapy program for marginalized parents and their chi... more The effectiveness of a 10-week group music therapy program for marginalized parents and their children aged 0–5 years was examined. Musical activities were used to promote positive parent–child relationships and children’s behavioral, communicative and social development. Participants were 358 parents and children from families facing social disadvantage, young parents or parents of a child with a disability. Significant improvements were found for therapist-observed parent and child behaviors, and parent-reported irritable parenting, educational activities in the home, parent mental health and child communication and social play skills. This study provides evidence of the potential effectiveness of music therapy for early intervention.

Research paper thumbnail of Funding and Employment Conditions: Critical Issues for Australian Music Therapy Beyond 2009

The Australian Journal of Music Therapy, 2009

As the Australian Journal of Music Therapy celebrates its 20th year of publication, it is evident... more As the Australian Journal of Music Therapy celebrates its 20th year of publication, it is evident that the profession of music therapy in Australia, has made substantial progress over these last 20 years. Jobs are regularly advertised on the website, there is a greater public awareness of what music therapy is, there are government recognised salary awards applicable in several states of the country, working conditions have generally improved, and many Australian music therapists are recognised on the international stage as leaders in their field of expertise. You can even go to a party and tell someone you are a music therapist and there is a good chance they will say 'oh yeah, I know someone who does that at the hospital / school / community centre / nursing home' instead of saying 'oh, so like, a what?'. Despite the impressive leaps and bounds that have been made, and the success of many programs in Australia to date, there is still a great deal of room for improv...

Research paper thumbnail of Music facilitation for promoting well being through the lifecourse

International Journal of Community Music

A growing body of research is concerned with how lifelong music learning and participation in com... more A growing body of research is concerned with how lifelong music learning and participation in community contexts may support well being and quality of life. Research focused on how non-formal community music learning and participation can be supported and facilitated is more limited. This article sets out three case study examples of the ways in which facilitators of music learning in diverse community contexts (including the home) can be supported and trained. Following these examples, a model for music facilitation is presented and discussed, highlighting key tools for supporting active music-making across the lifecourse.

Research paper thumbnail of Families and music early learning programs: Boppin' babies

Research paper thumbnail of Australia: Brisbane floods January 2011

Research paper thumbnail of The parents at playgroup research report: engaging families in supported playgroups 2012

The past decade has seen increasing numbers of government programs funded to support vulnerable f... more The past decade has seen increasing numbers of government programs funded to support vulnerable families with young children. Supported playgroups are one important strategy in Australia’s current family policies that are provided in all states and territories (ARTD, 2008). National policies have increasingly invested in family support programs, such as supported playgroups. Despite known challenges in engaging vulnerable families in support programs, little is known about the capacity of supported playgroups to effectively engage families to achieve desired outcomes. This project explores family patterns of attendance in supported playgroups and examines the extent to which parental characteristics and experiences of the playgroup explain variations in engagement. The findings can inform the delivery of other family support programs...

Research paper thumbnail of The Economics of Therapy - Clients, Colleagues, Cash and Competition

Research paper thumbnail of Sing and grow: helping young children and their families grow together through music therapy early intervention programs

Research paper thumbnail of Strengthening families: a role for music therapy in contributing to family centred care

Sing and Grow is a music therapy programme funded by the Australian Commonwealth Government and p... more Sing and Grow is a music therapy programme funded by the Australian Commonwealth Government and presented in partnership with Playgroup Queensland and The University of Queensland, initially for a two year period, but now with funding assured to 2007. The programme is a family based intervention for families with children aged birth to three years that uses music to strengthen parent-child relationships through increasing interactions and assisting parents to bond with their children, and to extend the repertory of parenting skills in relating to children through interactive play. This benefited the participants by engaging young children in developmentally stimulating activities while reinforcing to parents the importance of their active participation in assisting a child to meet developmental milestones. This paper reports the theoretical basis for this project, its implementation in the community sector, and issues in identifying the outcomes to date, including the use of attenda...

Research paper thumbnail of A time of turmoil: music therapy interventions for adolescents in a paediatric oncology ward

A diagnosis of cancer during adolescence can potentially complicate an already challenging phase ... more A diagnosis of cancer during adolescence can potentially complicate an already challenging phase of development. Music therapy techniques, including song parody and performance, music relaxation and imagery, and instrument learning, can provide age-appropriate and innovative ways to help meet the unique needs of adolescents undergoing hospital cancer treatment. Case studies are provided to illustrate their effectiveness with this population. (author abstract)

Research paper thumbnail of Laying the foundations for lifelong family music practices through Music Early Learning Programs

Psychology of Music

To lay the foundations for lifelong musical practices, parents need to feel confident using music... more To lay the foundations for lifelong musical practices, parents need to feel confident using music as a part of their everyday parenting. Music Early Learning Programs (MELPs) can empower parents to use music by laying the foundations for family-based active music-making. Little is known about why parents attend, however, what their aspirations are for their child’s musical engagement now and in the future, or how attendance shapes the way they use music at home. This study investigated parental beliefs, aspirations, and use of music in the home by five families and identified MELP structures that support parenting. The longitudinal case study approach drew on ethnographic methods of data collection. Reasons for attending MELPs were a high value for music, belief that music supports child development, enriched family relationships, and social support. Parental hopes and aspirations from attendance included laying the foundations for lifelong engagement with music. Six MELP structures...

Research paper thumbnail of Music Early Learning Programs: Parental beliefs, aspirations and participation

Book chapters Abad, V. (2017). Case Study: Managing business growth from the bottom upturning you... more Book chapters Abad, V. (2017). Case Study: Managing business growth from the bottom upturning your small niche passion into a business (pp.180-199). In D. Thomas & V. Abad (Eds.

Research paper thumbnail of Early Intervention Music Therapy for Adolescent Mothers and Their Children

British Journal of Music Therapy

Adolescence is a unique and challenging period of grow , change and possible turmoil as a young p... more Adolescence is a unique and challenging period of grow , change and possible turmoil as a young person transitions towards adulthood. The capacity to provide quality parenting at this time is likely to be compromised because the teenage mother simultaneously experiences allenges of adolescence and first time parenthood (Budd, Heilman, & Kane, 2000). Research supports that teenage mothers are significantly less supportive, more detached, more intrusive, and more negative / hostile (Berlin, Brady-Smith, & Brooks-Gunn, 2002), when compared to older mothers, and may be less able to provide a stimulating learning environment (Budd et al, 2000). Sing & Grow is a national early intervention music therapy project prov by Playgroup Associations and funded by the Commonwealth Government of Australia. The project provides 10 week group music therapy sessions to parent and child (aged 0 to 3 years) dyads from families in communities

Research paper thumbnail of Strengthening families: a role for music therapy in contributing to family centred care

Australian Journal of Music Therapy, 2004

Sing and Grow is a music therapy programme funded by the Australian Commonwealth Government and p... more Sing and Grow is a music therapy programme funded by the Australian Commonwealth Government and presented in partnership with Playgroup Queensland and The University of Queensland, initially for a two year period, but now with funding assured to 2007. The programme is a family based intervention for families with children aged birth to three years that uses music to strengthen parent-child relationships through increasing interactions and assisting parents to bond with their children, and to extend the repertory of parenting skills ...

Research paper thumbnail of Early intervention for adolescent mothers and their children

Office of Education Research Faculty of Education School of Early Childhood, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluating parent-child group music therapy programmes: Challenges and successes for Sing and Grow

Research paper thumbnail of The parents at playgroup research report: engaging families in supported playgroups 2012

Office of Education Research Faculty of Education School of Early Childhood, Jun 1, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Australia: Brisbane floods January 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Early intervention music therapy: reporting on a 3-year project to address needs with at-risk families

Office of Education Research Faculty of Education School of Early Childhood, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of The Economics of Therapy - Clients, Colleagues, Cash and Competition

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of Music Therapy to Promote Positive Parenting

The effectiveness of a 10-week group music therapy program for marginalized parents and their chi... more The effectiveness of a 10-week group music therapy program for marginalized parents and their children aged 0–5 years was examined. Musical activities were used to promote positive parent–child relationships and children’s behavioral, communicative and social development. Participants were 358 parents and children from families facing social disadvantage, young parents or parents of a child with a disability. Significant improvements were found for therapist-observed parent and child behaviors, and parent-reported irritable parenting, educational activities in the home, parent mental health and child communication and social play skills. This study provides evidence of the potential effectiveness of music therapy for early intervention.

Research paper thumbnail of Funding and Employment Conditions: Critical Issues for Australian Music Therapy Beyond 2009

The Australian Journal of Music Therapy, 2009

As the Australian Journal of Music Therapy celebrates its 20th year of publication, it is evident... more As the Australian Journal of Music Therapy celebrates its 20th year of publication, it is evident that the profession of music therapy in Australia, has made substantial progress over these last 20 years. Jobs are regularly advertised on the website, there is a greater public awareness of what music therapy is, there are government recognised salary awards applicable in several states of the country, working conditions have generally improved, and many Australian music therapists are recognised on the international stage as leaders in their field of expertise. You can even go to a party and tell someone you are a music therapist and there is a good chance they will say 'oh yeah, I know someone who does that at the hospital / school / community centre / nursing home' instead of saying 'oh, so like, a what?'. Despite the impressive leaps and bounds that have been made, and the success of many programs in Australia to date, there is still a great deal of room for improv...

Research paper thumbnail of Music facilitation for promoting well being through the lifecourse

International Journal of Community Music

A growing body of research is concerned with how lifelong music learning and participation in com... more A growing body of research is concerned with how lifelong music learning and participation in community contexts may support well being and quality of life. Research focused on how non-formal community music learning and participation can be supported and facilitated is more limited. This article sets out three case study examples of the ways in which facilitators of music learning in diverse community contexts (including the home) can be supported and trained. Following these examples, a model for music facilitation is presented and discussed, highlighting key tools for supporting active music-making across the lifecourse.

Research paper thumbnail of Families and music early learning programs: Boppin' babies

Research paper thumbnail of Australia: Brisbane floods January 2011

Research paper thumbnail of The parents at playgroup research report: engaging families in supported playgroups 2012

The past decade has seen increasing numbers of government programs funded to support vulnerable f... more The past decade has seen increasing numbers of government programs funded to support vulnerable families with young children. Supported playgroups are one important strategy in Australia’s current family policies that are provided in all states and territories (ARTD, 2008). National policies have increasingly invested in family support programs, such as supported playgroups. Despite known challenges in engaging vulnerable families in support programs, little is known about the capacity of supported playgroups to effectively engage families to achieve desired outcomes. This project explores family patterns of attendance in supported playgroups and examines the extent to which parental characteristics and experiences of the playgroup explain variations in engagement. The findings can inform the delivery of other family support programs...

Research paper thumbnail of The Economics of Therapy - Clients, Colleagues, Cash and Competition

Research paper thumbnail of Sing and grow: helping young children and their families grow together through music therapy early intervention programs

Research paper thumbnail of Strengthening families: a role for music therapy in contributing to family centred care

Sing and Grow is a music therapy programme funded by the Australian Commonwealth Government and p... more Sing and Grow is a music therapy programme funded by the Australian Commonwealth Government and presented in partnership with Playgroup Queensland and The University of Queensland, initially for a two year period, but now with funding assured to 2007. The programme is a family based intervention for families with children aged birth to three years that uses music to strengthen parent-child relationships through increasing interactions and assisting parents to bond with their children, and to extend the repertory of parenting skills in relating to children through interactive play. This benefited the participants by engaging young children in developmentally stimulating activities while reinforcing to parents the importance of their active participation in assisting a child to meet developmental milestones. This paper reports the theoretical basis for this project, its implementation in the community sector, and issues in identifying the outcomes to date, including the use of attenda...

Research paper thumbnail of A time of turmoil: music therapy interventions for adolescents in a paediatric oncology ward

A diagnosis of cancer during adolescence can potentially complicate an already challenging phase ... more A diagnosis of cancer during adolescence can potentially complicate an already challenging phase of development. Music therapy techniques, including song parody and performance, music relaxation and imagery, and instrument learning, can provide age-appropriate and innovative ways to help meet the unique needs of adolescents undergoing hospital cancer treatment. Case studies are provided to illustrate their effectiveness with this population. (author abstract)

Research paper thumbnail of Laying the foundations for lifelong family music practices through Music Early Learning Programs

Psychology of Music

To lay the foundations for lifelong musical practices, parents need to feel confident using music... more To lay the foundations for lifelong musical practices, parents need to feel confident using music as a part of their everyday parenting. Music Early Learning Programs (MELPs) can empower parents to use music by laying the foundations for family-based active music-making. Little is known about why parents attend, however, what their aspirations are for their child’s musical engagement now and in the future, or how attendance shapes the way they use music at home. This study investigated parental beliefs, aspirations, and use of music in the home by five families and identified MELP structures that support parenting. The longitudinal case study approach drew on ethnographic methods of data collection. Reasons for attending MELPs were a high value for music, belief that music supports child development, enriched family relationships, and social support. Parental hopes and aspirations from attendance included laying the foundations for lifelong engagement with music. Six MELP structures...

Research paper thumbnail of Music Early Learning Programs: Parental beliefs, aspirations and participation

Book chapters Abad, V. (2017). Case Study: Managing business growth from the bottom upturning you... more Book chapters Abad, V. (2017). Case Study: Managing business growth from the bottom upturning your small niche passion into a business (pp.180-199). In D. Thomas & V. Abad (Eds.

Research paper thumbnail of Early Intervention Music Therapy for Adolescent Mothers and Their Children

British Journal of Music Therapy

Adolescence is a unique and challenging period of grow , change and possible turmoil as a young p... more Adolescence is a unique and challenging period of grow , change and possible turmoil as a young person transitions towards adulthood. The capacity to provide quality parenting at this time is likely to be compromised because the teenage mother simultaneously experiences allenges of adolescence and first time parenthood (Budd, Heilman, & Kane, 2000). Research supports that teenage mothers are significantly less supportive, more detached, more intrusive, and more negative / hostile (Berlin, Brady-Smith, & Brooks-Gunn, 2002), when compared to older mothers, and may be less able to provide a stimulating learning environment (Budd et al, 2000). Sing & Grow is a national early intervention music therapy project prov by Playgroup Associations and funded by the Commonwealth Government of Australia. The project provides 10 week group music therapy sessions to parent and child (aged 0 to 3 years) dyads from families in communities

Research paper thumbnail of Strengthening families: a role for music therapy in contributing to family centred care

Australian Journal of Music Therapy, 2004

Sing and Grow is a music therapy programme funded by the Australian Commonwealth Government and p... more Sing and Grow is a music therapy programme funded by the Australian Commonwealth Government and presented in partnership with Playgroup Queensland and The University of Queensland, initially for a two year period, but now with funding assured to 2007. The programme is a family based intervention for families with children aged birth to three years that uses music to strengthen parent-child relationships through increasing interactions and assisting parents to bond with their children, and to extend the repertory of parenting skills ...

Research paper thumbnail of Early intervention for adolescent mothers and their children

Office of Education Research Faculty of Education School of Early Childhood, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluating parent-child group music therapy programmes: Challenges and successes for Sing and Grow

Research paper thumbnail of The parents at playgroup research report: engaging families in supported playgroups 2012

Office of Education Research Faculty of Education School of Early Childhood, Jun 1, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Australia: Brisbane floods January 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Early intervention music therapy: reporting on a 3-year project to address needs with at-risk families

Office of Education Research Faculty of Education School of Early Childhood, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of The Economics of Therapy - Clients, Colleagues, Cash and Competition