Cumulative sociodemographic risk moderates the short-term effects of active music engagement

The experience of cancer treatment can lead to interrelated distress among young children and their parents, which may induce traumatic stress symptoms among parents, undermine their well-being, and disrupt family function. Active music engagement (AME) is a dyadic music therapy intervention that addresses interrelated child-parent distress. Families undergoing treatment for cancer face varying levels of sociodemographic risk in their homes and communities, and levels of risk may impact the effects of AME. The current study examines whether cumulative sociodemographic risk moderated the immediate and/or short-term effects of AME on levels of parental stress, parental well-being, and family function.

The current study is a secondary analysis of data collected from N = 125 families during a multisite study examining mediators and moderators of AME. Measures of parent traumatic stress, parental well-being, and family function were collected prior to the start of AME, immediately after AME concluded, and again 30 days later.

A series of multivariate regression models revealed that cumulative sociodemographic risk moderated the short-term effects of AME, but not its immediate effects. Families experiencing higher levels of risk realized disproportionate benefits from AME relative to families experiencing lower levels of risk.

Although music therapy programs prioritize referrals based on family need, few studies offer evidence to guide these decisions. Our results suggest that AME should be reserved for families facing higher levels of risk, which may help to ensure that high-demand services are delivered to families who need them most in accordance with the Pediatric Psychosocial Preventative Health Model.