The effect of music on the interaction and mental health of Danish families

INTERVENTION: The project is both a classical controlled effect study (pilot, before, after and follow‐up measurement) and a correlation study of the relationship between participation in everyday art/music activities and parental stress, child well‐being and parent‐child interaction in the family. After inclusion in the study and baseline assessment, participants will be assigned to one of the study conditions. Paired samples randomization will be used to ensure equal distribution of types of families between each intervention and control. The allocation ratio of intended numbers of families in the comparison groups will be 1:1:1 so that the number of families receiving each intervention will be similar. Before random assignment is performed, it has to be confirmed by the investigator recruiting participants that the eligibility criteria have been met and participants are formally enrolled. The researchers decided to have three dyads in the music therapy (MT) group and 5 or 9 in the community music (CM) group. It will still be the same number of people, but the group size will be different. Once recruitment and data collection at baseline are complete and informed consent to participate in the study has been obtained, the respective randomisation code will be revealed to the investigator by an administrative person at the central randomisation office who will have no contact with the participants. When comparing different interventions, it is important to be able to identify real differences between the interventions. Waltz and colleagues (1993) discuss how to secure interventions and still keep them flexible to meet the need of participants. They suggest a differentiation between four different layers: Unique & and essential, essential, compatible CONDITION: Quality of life for families in Denmark ; Not Applicable PRIMARY OUTCOME: Parent‐child interaction measured using the Assessment of Parent‐Child Interaction (APCI) at baseline, 3 and 12 months SECONDARY OUTCOME: ; 1. Parenting stress measured using the Parenting Stress Scale at baseline, 3 and 12 months; 2. Child properties measured using the Strength & Difficulties Questionnaire at baseline, 3 and 12 months; INCLUSION CRITERIA: Families with school‐age children (aged 7‐9 years) invited from primary schools in Aalborg and Aarhus municipalities