In Empathy and Diplomacy: Mediating and Navigating Internal Conflict After Sexual Trauma through Therapeutic Songwriting Open Access

Abstract

In this thesis, I articulate an innovative way to provide in-depth, affordable education on the typical outcomes of sexual violence while creating wide access to information about the typical outcomes of sexual trauma for survivors. The Internal Family Systems (IFS) framework for internal dialogue can function in the creative medium of songwriting to showcase psychotherapeutic, internal dialogue which will increase understanding of, and access to, a psychotherapeutic model of healthy internal dialogue after sexual trauma. Lyrics and linguistic theme can help survivors notice their own responses to their trauma by demonstrating polarization within internal communication which can illuminate the seemingly extreme, very normal responses to this type of trauma. In the thesis, I explain the ways in which linguistic theme, psychotherapy, and song lyrics convey internal relationships. In concluding, I invite the reader to think broadly about public scholarship surrounding psychotherapy models so that survivors of trauma can implement songwriting or song-listening strategies for themselves to navigate their own internal headspaces.

Disclosure: The following thesis discusses sexual violence, eating disorders and may cause emotional distress. 

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................1

COMBINING PSYCHOTHERAPY, THEME, AND LYRICS.......................................................................................4

SEXUAL TRAUMA: LACK OF RESPONSE AND RESOURCES ................................................................................9

ANALYZING POLARIZATION IN AN INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS LENS...........................................................13

THEORETICAL OVERVIEW OF INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS........................................................................... 13

THE INTERNAL FAMILY ................................................................................................................................16

ADAPTIVE INTERNAL COMMUNICATION.......................................................................................................19

MALADAPTIVE INTERNAL COMMUNICATION................................................................................................22

THE ARGUMENT FOR A THEMATIC ANAL YSIS OF POLARIZATIONS IN SONGS ...............................................29

METHODS FOR THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF POLARIZATION IN SONGS ..............................................................30 RESULTS.......................................................................................................................................................36

CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................................49

LIMITATIONS .............................................................................................................................................. 50

IMPLICATIONS .............................................................................................................................................51

FUTURE DIRECTIONS ................................................................................................................................... 52

BIBLIOGRAPHY ...........................................................................................................................................54 

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Language, Linguistics Psychology, Clinical Music
Keyword	thematic analysis healing process sexual assault Internal Family Systems justice system polarization mental health internal communication sexual trauma survivor family systems sexual violence internal family survivors sexual trauma song lyrics trauma diplomatic representation psychotherapy
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Robyn Fivush, Emory University
Committee Members	Mark Risjord, Emory University Susan Tamasi, Emory University

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