The relationship between music listening habits and emotional well-being

Abstract

This study’s purpose was to investigate the relationship between Music Listening Habits and Emotional Well-Being amongst young adults aged between 18 to 25 years, and how these differ amongst gender and age. A quantitative approach was utilised to measure Music Listening Habits, including Healthy Music Use and Unhealthy Music Use, and Emotional Well-Being, incorporating Positive Affect and Negative Affect, which are pertinent factors defining emotional well-being (Miranda & Gaudreau, 2011). The data was collected using an online questionnaire that included demographic information and standardised scales, which was distributed through social media where participants were selected through a convenience sample comprised of 110 participants. Data was analysed using the Spearman Correlation Coefficient, to explore the relationship between the variables, and the Kruskal-Wallis test, to determine any differences. The study’s findings indicated that young adults who engaged in Healthy Music Use had higher levels of Positive Affect. Conversely, young adults who engaged in Unhealthy Music Use had higher levels of Negative Affect. No significant relationships were discovered between Healthy Music Use and Negative Affect, and between Unhealthy Music Use and Positive Affect. No gender and age differences between music listening habits and emotional well-being were found. By examining how young adults habitually use music, this study provides insight into understanding how music can be utilised to support young adults’ emotional well-being and mental health, whilst enhancing awareness of certain music use that may relate to negative effects on young adults’ emotional well-being.