Manuscript Submitted to Journal of Public Health

http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jph

Cultural healing: harnessing ethnic music as music therapy

to reduce anxiety and promote mental health among
adolescent social media addicts

Journal: Journal of Public Health

Manuscript ID JPH-23-0936
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Manuscript Type: Correspondence

Date Submitted by the

20-Aug-2023
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Author:

Complete List of Authors: Jannah, Roudhotul; Universitas PGRI Banyuwangi, PPKN

Wicaksono, Heriberthus; PGRI Banyuwangi University, guidance and
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counselling
Padillah, Raup; Universitas PGRI Banyuwangi, FKIP; Universitas Negeri
Malang,
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Keywords: Mental health, Psychological determinants, Health promotion

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Page 1 of 3 Manuscript Submitted to Journal of Public Health

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3 Correspondence:
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Cultural healing: harnessing ethnic music as music therapy to reduce anxiety
11 and promote mental health among adolescent social media addicts
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13 Roudhotul Jannah1, Heriberthus Wicaksono1, Raup Padillah1
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15 1Universitas PGRI Banyuwangi, Indonesia
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19 Abstract: The potential of cultural healing through ethnic music as a
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20 transformative music therapy approach for addressing anxiety and promoting
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mental health among adolescents struggling with social media addiction. By
23 integrating ethnic music therapy, adolescents can find solace, rediscover their
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24 cultural identities, and navigate the digital age with enhanced mental well-being.
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29 Dear Editors,
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A recent issue entitled “Embracing audiovisual wellness: music and film therapy for anxiety relief
and increased productivity among adolescent workers(1), the authors explain by incorporating
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34 music into the daily routine, can promotes mental well-being and helps alleviate anxiety, and this
35 anxiety problem is often experienced by adolescent who are addicted to social media. The
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prevalence of social media addiction among this age group has raised concerns about the potential
37 negative impacts on their mental health. Ethnic music, one of a kind music therapy, offers a
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promising avenue for reducing anxiety(2) and nurturing mental health among adolescents
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40 grappling with social media addiction.
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42 The rise of social media has introduced new challenges, as young individuals navigate the
43 pressures of projecting a curated online image, dealing with comparison, and battling FOMO (fear
44 of missing out)(3)(4). These factors contribute to heightened anxiety levels(5), often resulting in a
45 negative impact on mental well-being(6). Music therapy, rooted in the therapeutic properties of
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sound and rhythm, has long been recognized for its potential to enhance mental health(1,7,8). The
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48 universality of music allows it to transcend language and cultural barriers, making it a potent tool
49 for emotional expression and healing. Ethnic music, with its deep cultural significance can resonate
50 on a profound level(2), addressing the emotional turmoil faced by adolescents ensnared by the
51 allure of social media.
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53 One of the challenges in managing anxiety is the difficulty of articulating complex emotions(9).
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Ethnic music offers an alternative channel for emotional expression(2). The melodies and tones
56 can communicate feelings that words may struggle to convey. This musical dialogue with one's
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3 own emotions creates a release that contributes to mental clarity and a sense of emotional relief.
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The meditative qualities of ethnic music invite listeners to immerse themselves in the present
6 moment. Anxiety often thrives in the realm of past regrets or future worries. Engaging with ethnic
7 music encourages mindfulness, redirecting attention to the now. This practice cultivates a mental
8 state that is conducive to stress reduction and mental well-being.
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10 To harness the potential of ethnic music as a means of combating social media addiction and
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promoting mental health, a multifaceted approach is necessary. Educating parents, teachers, and
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mental health professionals about the benefits of this approach is crucial. Customizing therapy
14 sessions to align with each adolescent's cultural background ensures a personalized and impactful
15 experience. By incorporating ethnic music therapy into schools, community centers, and mental
16 health programs, we can provide adolescents with a powerful tool for self-discovery, emotional
17 expression, and ultimately healing.
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The allure of social media poses a significant challenge to adolescent mental health, but cultural
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21 healing offers a unique and potent solution. Ethnic music, with its ability to bridge cultural gaps
22 and evoke deep emotions, can be harnessed as a form of music therapy to address the anxieties
23 stemming from social media addiction. By integrating the healing power of cultural traditions with
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24 contemporary therapeutic techniques, we can empower adolescents to find solace, rediscover their
25 identities, and navigate the complexities of the digital age with renewed mental well-being.
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Funding
29 The authors declared no funding was received for this paper.
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31 Conflictt of interest
32 The authors declare no conflict of interest in this paper
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References
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