The Effects of Music on Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being

Author

Samantha Hicks

Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Program Notes Open Access

Department

Music

First Advisor

Travis Weller

Abstract

Emotion and music have been tied together throughout history. Either one influencing the other to create a codependency that composers, musicians, and listeners rely on to communicate where words are insufficient. Music is a part of everyday life as people interact with the world around them, whether it be through the radio, in the store, or even on television. Each of these instances of music has the possibility of affecting the emotions of those who hear it either through conscious or subconscious means. With this in mind it may be possible to purposefully use music for teaching emotional regulation skills. As focus continues to shift towards mental health conditions and social-emotional learning educators can begin to develop and improve self-regulation and coping techniques for the classroom. Several studies have been conducted across the world in recognizing the impact that music can have on people of all ages and of varying mental health conditions. In each of these studies (Hendricks et. al., 1999, Silverman, 2020, Carlson et. al., 2015), music was seen as having a positive overall effect on participants and their mental health.

Recommended Citation

Hicks, Samantha, "The Effects of Music on Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being" (2023). Music Student Scholarship (Graduate). 144.
https://mosaic.messiah.edu/conduct_st/144