Beyond Medication: Exploring Music Therapy Perspectives among Pharmacy Students

Mental health disorders represent a growing global public health concern, with disproportionate burden documented among young adults and university students. Non-pharmacological approaches, including music therapy, have attracted considerable clinical interest as adjunct or alternative interventions; however, their uptake is contingent upon public knowledge and awareness. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, awareness, and behaviours of music therapy on mental health among Diploma of Pharmacy students at UiTM Bertam Campus. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between May and June 2024 among students with active enrolment status. A bilingual (English and Bahasa Malaysia) questionnaire was administered electronically via Google Forms. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 16.0. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied to assess knowledge levels and their association with demographic factors. A total of 170 respondents participated. The sample was predominantly female (74.7%) and aged 20–21 years (72.9%). Most respondents (84.7%) had some familiarity with music therapy, and the majority (86%) affirmed that music therapy can influence emotional functioning. However, chi-square analysis revealed no statistically significant association between any demographic factor and knowledge score. Concerning behavioural intent, 30.5% of respondents reported currently receiving or considering music therapy, with social stigma identified as the primary barrier. Despite generally satisfactory awareness, a substantive proportion of pharmacy students demonstrated incomplete understanding of music therapy. Stigma surrounding help-seeking remains a significant barrier. Targeted educational interventions within pharmacy curricula and broader community platforms are recommended to improve awareness, destigmatise mental health help-seeking, and promote evidence-based non-pharmacological therapies.

music therapy, mental health, pharmacy students

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