The Resilience Songwriting Program for Adolescent Bereavement

How Songwriting Affects Grief and Strength in Teens

Primary Investigator
J
Jayme Allen, MD

Primary Investigator

Enrolling By Invitation
12 years - 18 years
All
Phase N/A
1 participants needed
1 Location

Brief description of study

Experiencing the death of a loved one is hard.  We want to understand how a songwriting program can impact grief and resiliency in teens who have experienced the loss of aloved one. The purpose of this study is to learn more about how a songwriting program may affect grief and resiliency in adolescents that have experienced the loss of a loved one. We are also interested in learning how each adolescent experiences the songwriting program. 
 
THIS STUDY IS ENROLLING BY INVITATION ONLY - Riley Grief Services will recruit teens ages 12-18 who have experienced a loss of a loved one that they are currently grieving by sending flyers through direct mailings to families already in the Riley Grief Services system as well as through sending flyers and/or providing in-service presentations to St. Vincent Bereavement Services, Community Health Network Bereavement, Brooke’s Place, Indiana University Health Hospice, through local school systems (e.g.., school counselors and social workers), and hospitals within the Indiana University Health System.

Detailed description of study

The program involves attending 12 weekly, 90-minute group songwriting sessions. 

  • Teens will learn how to play various instruments, use recording equipment, and write andd two songs.
  • At different times in the study, teens will fill out questionnaires about their grief, mood, self-esteem, coping, meaning making, expression of emotions, and social support.
  • This is a research study that requires registration and consent from a parent or legal guardian.

Eligibility of study

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

  • Conditions: Healthy, Grief, Bereavement, Riley
  • Age: 12 years - 18 years
  • Gender: All

Inclusion criteria:

  • 12-18 years of age
  • English-speaking
  • Are grieving the loss of a loved one, defined by the participant as anyone close to them (e.g., family member, friend)

This study investigates how a songwriting program affects grief and resilience in teenagers who have lost a loved one. The purpose is to understand how creating music can influence emotions and coping mechanisms in adolescents during bereavement.

Participants will attend 12 weekly group sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, where they will learn to play instruments, use recording equipment, and write songs. Throughout the study, teens will complete questionnaires about their grief, mood, self-esteem, and social support.

  • Who can participate: Teens aged 12-18 who speak English and are grieving the loss of someone close can participate.
  • Study details: Participants will join group songwriting sessions and fill out surveys. Parental or legal guardian consent is needed.
  • Study visits: The study requires 12 visits.
Updated on 07 Aug 2026. Study ID: 20406
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Interested in the study?

This study is accepting only persons who receive care at a certain clinic or doctor or who are part of an invited group. Questions about this study can be directed to the study team listed in the description or contact your doctor to see if you are eligible.

Accepting Referrals by Invitation Only