Aashi H's Senior Project Blog

Project Title: Exploring the Short-term Therapeutic Use of Music on Perceived Stress Levels
BASIS Advisor: John Goodwin, Jared Bushee
Internship Location: MIM
Onsite Mentor: Hannah Brisso, MIM Coordinator, Sabhya Kumar, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Banner University Medical Center



Project Abstract

This project investigates the impacts of medicinal music on perceived stress levels in employees working at Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs), with a focus on prominent establishments such as Starbucks, Chipotle, and McDonald's. This study uses the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) to measure stress levels before and after listening to music from their chosen genre when vividly recalling a stressful work scenario. The purpose of this research is to evaluate whether music can reduce stress in QSR employees, offering potential insights to enhance mental well-being in the food service industry.

    My Posts:

  • It’s Time to Say Goodbye…

    Welcome back for the last time, everyone! Thank you all for joining me on this journey. As this project comes to a close, I would like to give out a few shout-outs to some amazing people who, without their help, this project would not be possible. First, a BIG shout-out to Dr. Goodwin and Mr.... Read More

  • Week 10: Solution?

    Welcome back, everyone! In this blog, I will be revealing the statistics that make this project a success. Before I do, thank you to all my readers for joining me in this journey! It has been such a great learning experience, and I hope you all have learned something new too :) Statistics As you... Read More

  • Week 9: Success!

    Welcome back, everyone! We hit 30 responses this week! This was the targeted response amount for my survey to successfully apply the Match Paired t-test. This week, I have been working on transferring my data into visual graphs and diagrams to put into my presentations. I will display a few here, as well as discuss... Read More

  • Week 8: Writing, writing, and more writing!

    Hello everyone, welcome back! This week, I have been working on my paper. Below is an outline for what I am writing in my paper: Literature Review Music Medicine Stress in Fast-food Industry (QSRs) Gap: Medicinal music FOR stress in QSRs Method: Questionnaire + Content + Restaurants Chosen Perceived Stress Scale - 10 Recall prompt... Read More

  • Week 7: What’s next?

    Welcome back, everyone! This week's blog will focus on the next steps for the project. Analysis I learned how to analyze my results statistically. I will be using the Matched Pairs T-Test. The t test is calculated as follows: (Sample mean difference) - (Population mean difference) / ((Sample difference standard deviation) / (Square root sample... Read More

  • Week 6: Fundamental Research

    Welcome back, everyone! As this is Spring Break, I have been volunteering heavily at the MIM. I have also been reaching out to people to take my survey. I am continuously calculating the results of the survey from the pre and post questionnaires, and I am happy to say they there is a dramatic decrease... Read More

  • Week 5: Questionnaire sent out & MIM Solo!

    Hello everyone! This week has been exciting and a huge step in my project! It sent out my questionnaire for responses, and it was my first week of going solo at the MIM. Questionnaire Updates! This week, I sent the questionnaire to all my Starbucks coworkers. First, I sent it to one coworker to see... Read More

  • Week 4: Music Genres & Mere Exposure Effect

    Welcome back everyone! In today's post, I will be deeper diving into my MIM experience and the music genres chosen for this project. MIM Experience Today, I finished my training. I am officially allowed to start Gallery Guiding on my own! My position involves walking around the museum and interacting with patrons to make them... Read More

  • Week 3: Finalized Questionnaire & MIM Orientation

    Welcome back everyone! It's been an exciting week, with the senior trip and MIM Orientation over the last few days. In this week's post, I will be disclosing my questionnaire questions and discussing their validity. Last week, I worked on taking the PSS-10 (10-item Perceived Stress Scale) and adapting it for my study. Earlier this... Read More

  • Week 2: Recall Prompts and Questionnaire Content

    Welcome back, everyone! Over the last week, I've spent a lot of time discussing the future of my project with my mentors. I was hunting for an alternate route than a remote project. After all, the fun of the project comes from actually conducting the experiment! I was at work one day when an idea... Read More

  • Week 1: Shifting the project to a remote position?

    Welcome back to my blog! And if you're new, thank you for reading! Today, I will be updating you all on my progress so far and a shift I am planning to make in my project. If you are coming back from last week, you remember that I was looking into dental clinics at which... Read More

  • Welcome! Introduction: Short-term Therapeutic Effect of Music

    Hey everyone! My name is Aashi Hemdev, and welcome to my blog. Thank you so much for joining me on this senior project journey! I have been playing in band since 6th grade. Since then, it has helped me connect with myself and others emotionally, mentally, and socially. I decided early on that I wanted... Read More