Music therapy, mental health and academic performance among year two BASS students majoring in psychology at Makerere University

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between music therapy, mental health and academic performance among year two BASS students majoring in Psychology at Makerere University. The sample size consisted of 80 male and female students. A correlational study design was used to establish the relationship between music therapy, mental health and academic performance among the students.Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient (r) was used to determine the level of significance of the hypotheses. The results indicated that there was a positive statistical significant relationship between music therapy and academic performance (r = .648, p = .000); music therapy and mental health (r= .347, p = .002); mental health and academic performance (r= .457, p= .000). It was concluded that their need to improve on mental health among year two BASS students majoring in Psychology at Makerere University through music therapy hence promoting their academic performance. Educational campaigns on mental health issues, mental disorders and available support resources should be put in place. Such campaigns may involve lectures, online courses aimed at raising students awareness of the signs and symptoms of mental disorders, as well as methods of preventing and treating them.