"You've got to accentuate the positive": Group songwriting to promote a life of enjoyment, engagement and meaning in aging Australians

This study investigated whether group songwriting and performing affects people's perceptions of quality of life and feelings of connectedness in a community of retirees. An inductive thematic analysis of data transcripts from focus groups and written questionnaires from participants and students involved in the project were undertaken, and categories generated interpreted within the framework of positive psychology. Participants reported that the programme stimulated their enjoyment, positively affected emotions and improved wellbeing. They experienced enhanced connection with each other and with others in the broader community. They experienced a sense of accomplishment, meaning, and engagement in creating and performing their own songs.