Musikk med helsekonsekvenser. Et musikkpedagogisk prosjekt for ungdommer i en palestinsk flyktningleir

Abstract

Recent research and practice has pointed to possible health consequences of musical activities. This article investigates possible health consequences of participating in a community music project among Palestinian children and youth in a refugee camp in South Lebanon. Possible generative mechanisms are suggested, such as musical influences upon our emotions and vitality, increased social network and social capital, felt agency and empowerment, as well as a sense of meaning and coherence. The researcher interviewed Palestinian children and youth partaking in a community music project. Interviews were performed by a Lebanese Arab speaking teacher and further translated to the investigator by a native Lebanese translator to Norwegian. Six children with different age and gender were interviewed after some participant observation. Interview statements were found to support how participating in the project may influence the children’s sense of hope, feeling of recognition, mastery and self-esteem, to mention some of the health generative mechanisms identified. Results were discussed in relation to theories about health by van Hooft and Antonovsky. Keywords: Community music, health consequences, refugees