The understanding of the lived experiences of visually impaired retirees participating in group music therapy

The dataset underpinned a study titled "Exploring the lived experiences of visually impaired retirees in a group music therapy setting." This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of six visually impaired retirees who participated in eight weekly, 60-minute group music therapy sessions at a South African retirement estate. Using semistructured, face-to-face interviews conducted after the intervention and a rigorous six-stage Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the research examined participants’ personal narratives and descriptions of their interactions within a therapeutic environment. The idiographic accounts developed into five interrelated group-experiential themes:i) Negotiated musical identities: Communal participation, embodied expression, and perceived identity;ii) Evolving expectations and enjoyment: From uncertainty to embodied social participation;iii) Transformative group music-making through embodied agency, social connection, and growing confidence;iv) Emotional, social, and spiritual uplift through collective musical engagement; andv) Strong overall satisfaction with minimal difficulties and practical adjustments identified.