Department of Musicology

Adolescence represents an incredibly complex period of human development that is marked by rapid neurobiological and personal change. Uniquely positioned between childhood and adulthood, adolescents search intensely for a sense of personal identity. This is more than just a search, however; it reflects a ubiquitous, biologically programmed hunger to know the self and establish a connection to a transcendent force—the core of what is understood as spirituality. When properly cultivated, spirituality encourages a sense of connectedness, meaning, purpose, and contribution. When disrupted, adolescents become significantly more susceptible to depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders. While genetic predispositions and psychosocial factors have been widely discussed as contributors to depression and anxiety, verbal abuse remains an overlooked yet pervasive risk factor that directly impacts two fundamental aspects of spiritual development: parent-child relationships and the formation of identity and personal expression. Although adolescent psychotherapy is widely utilized, its focus on disease and treatment may unintentionally reinforce stigma among participants. This limitation highlights a need for approaches that prioritize positive functioning and support long-term well-being. Sound healing offers such an approach. Unlike music therapy, sound healing employs acoustic vibrations, eliminating the pressures of musical literacy and structured performance. Using a positive psychology and spirituality framework, this study examines how group participation in singing bowl and vocal sound healing sessions can help adolescents cultivate positive emotional states and well-being, foster a strong sense of spiritual identity, and reclaim an inner voice silenced by verbal abuse.