The value of a GIM-informed music- and art-based stress management intervention: A qualitative case study in a HE work context

Abstract

Stress in the Higher Education (HE) work environment is a pressing issue, demanding innovative approaches to support employee well-being. This study explores the value of a music- and art-based Stress Management Intervention (SMI), with adapted Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) as the central modality, in supporting coping processes and enhancing adaptive functioning among HE employees. Framing the inquiry, the research question posed was: “How do HE employees experience a music- and art-based SMI in relation to their stress management and coping capacity?” Situated within the disciplinary boundaries of industrial and organisational psychology, and grounded in employee well-being theory, the study draws on meta-theoretical foundations from neuroscience and psychodynamics. The experience of the intervention was evaluated using a multi-method, qualitative case study design informed by Hermeneutic Phenomenology (HP) and analysed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Nine participants from diverse departments and positions engaged in six structured intervention sessions over a six-week period. Data were generated through pre- and post-intervention interviews, session observations, and a focus group, allowing for an in-depth exploration of perceived changes over time. Findings indicate that participation in the GIM-based SMI: (i) supported emotional regulation and adaptive coping; (ii) facilitated increased use of problem- and emotion-focused strategies; (iii) contributed to a more balanced and agentic self-identity; (iv) functioned as a psychodynamic tool for emotional growth and meaning-making; (v) fostered collective support through group cohesion and shared expression; and (vi) promoted embodied awareness and emotional harmony through neuro-somatic experiences. This multifaceted exploration demonstrates the value of creative modalities like GIM in addressing workplace stress, and offers nuanced insights into their potential role in enhancing employee well-being in high-demand environments like HE.