Impact of Musical Interventions on Mental Wellbeing
Introduction to Music and Health
Research indicates that musical interventions positively affect physical health. A recent review published in *Perspectives in Public Health* explores whether these benefits extend to mental wellbeing. Ongoing investigations aim to discover ways to enhance our physical health and overall well-being, often influencing policies that promote effective strategies.
Understanding Subjective Well-being
Subjective well-being encompasses various aspects of mental health, including life satisfaction, feelings of worthiness, and emotional states such as anxiety and happiness. Surveys conducted within the United Kingdom have revealed that engagement in cultural activities positively affects subjective well-being.
Review of Music and Subjective Well-being
Given the substantial evidence supporting music’s health benefits, a review was commissioned by the What Works Centre for Wellbeing in the UK to analyze the influence of music on subjective well-being. This review, also published in *Perspectives in Public Health*, compiled literature from electronic databases in multiple languages to assess the impact of various musical interventions, such as singing, listening to music, and playing instruments, on different populations including students, adults, and older individuals. Studies focusing exclusively on music professionals or using music solely for pain management were excluded.
Findings from the Review
A total of 61 studies met the inclusion criteria, showcasing significant variability in design and measurement of subjective well-being. The reviewers faced challenges in drawing general conclusions due to several factors:
– The diversity in musical interventions, often conducted at single locations.
– Variability in intervention durations and infrequent assessments of long-term effects.
– A wide range in study sizes, from nine to 750 participants.
– Difficulty in measuring substantial improvements in subjective well-being, partly due to low baseline measures and limited representation of marginalized communities.
Positive Effects of Music
Despite these challenges, the review identified evidence supporting the positive effects of music on subjective well-being. The most frequently beneficial interventions involved listening to diverse musical genres (with the exception of hard rock, which did not alleviate anxiety) and group singing.
Notably, musical interventions were found to reduce or prevent depression across various age groups, although the effects varied among different populations. For instance:
– Music alleviated anxiety and enhanced mood in students, pregnant women, and prisoners.
– Healthy adults experienced improvements in mood, purpose, and mental well-being.
– Individuals with chronic health conditions reported enhanced coping abilities and an improved quality of life following musical engagement.
– Healthy older adults noted improvements in quality of life and a reduction in feelings of isolation, although those with existing health conditions did not always experience similar benefits.
Conclusions and Future Research
The reviewers concluded that music positively influences the subjective well-being of adults. However, they emphasized the need for further research to address the limitations observed in existing literature. Future studies should focus on the interplay of various social and individual factors that may impact well-being. Addressing these critical issues will enable the development of policies that promote mental well-being through musical interventions.
Reference
Daykin N, Mansfield L, Meads C, et al. What works for wellbeing? A systematic review of wellbeing outcomes for music and singing in adults. *Perspect Public Health*. [published online ahead of print November 1, 2017]. Available from: doi: 10.1177/1757913917740391.