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Effects of a drumming programme on mental well-being, achievement-motivation, and school functioning of secondary school students
Author
Tan, Bonnibel Sock Bing
Supervisor
Yeo, Lay See
Abstract
Singapore youth face many challenges against the backdrop of a developed and fast-paced social environment. Recent media reports of teenage suicide are worrying and indicate a need to pay attention to the mental well-being of students in Singapore. Group drumming shows potential in fostering positive youth development that may help youth to be more meaningfully adjusted in schools. This quasi-experimental study investigates the effects of a group drumming programme, “Drum Up for Life”, on secondary school students’ mental well-being, achievement-motivation and school functioning. These three constructs were measured using Youth Mental Well-being Questionnaire, Achievement-motivation Survey and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at three time points (i.e., pretest, post-test and maintenance phase). Students (n = 174) from participating schools were assigned to either the experimental (i.e., drumming) group or the control (i.e., non-drumming) group, depending on when they commenced the drumming programme. “Drum Up for Life”, implemented as a co-curricular activity, was facilitated by professional drummers from One Heartbeat Percussions. Results showed that group drumming had a small effect on improving students’ mental well-being and achievement-motivation, but not their problem behaviours after drumming. While the positive effect was maintained for students’ achievement-motivation after two months, this effect was not extended to students’ mental well-being. Additionally, the study found a strong, positive correlation between students’ mental well-being and achievement-motivation. Both mental well-being and achievement-motivation had weak negative correlations with students’ problem behaviours. The study concluded that for group drumming to enhance students’ mental well-being and social emotional competencies, specific therapeutic elements need to be intentionally infused into the programme.
Date Issued
2017
Call Number
LB2822.84.S55 Tan
Date Submitted
2017