Deploying Music Therapy for Mental Health Wellness and Academic Success for University Students in Delta State

Abstract

Deploying Music Therapy for Mental Health Wellness and Academic Success among University Students in Delta State. Music therapy offers a powerful tool for Nigerian university students to enhance mental health and academic performance; by reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood and boosting focus, helping students navigating academic pressure. The study is a descriptive survey using ex-post facto design. The population comprises all university students in Delta State. Purposive sampling technique was used to select sample of 1,000 students from the study area. A self-developed questionnaire titled “Music Therapy for Mental Health Wellness and Academic Success Questionnaire – MTMHWASQ)” was used to gather information from participants. To establish reliability, the instrument underwent a test-re-test in a pilot study, yielding a coefficient index of 0.85 and above. Responses were measured using a four-point Likert scale: Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (D), and Strongly Disagree (SD). The researchers personally distributed 1,000 questionnaires to the selected participants. Simple percentage, Mean score, Standard deviation and t-test were used to analysed data at 0.05 level of significance. Benchmark of 2.50 was established to accept any item with a mean rating of 2.50 or above as agreed while any item with a mean rating less than 2.50 was regarded as disagreed for research questions. Although Music could be distractive, the study highlights ignorance and importance of music therapy’s positive impact on both mental health wellness and academic success among Nigerian university students. Thus, reducing stress, anxiety and improving focus. Music therapy emerges a valuable support tool to help students navigate their rigorous academic activities and self-sustenance. Therefore, educational stakeholders should consider integrating music therapy into counselling services and academic support programs. Training of staff in music therapy techniques, offering regular sessions and promoting music-based stress management workshops.