Active music making: a route to enhanced subjective well-being among older people

Abstract

The enhanced subjective well-being found among participants in music may have been due to the potential for music to provide a sense of purpose through progression in music and creative expression. Control and autonomy may be supported by the holistic nature of musical engagement, whereby meeting new musical challenges involves physical and cognitive engagement. Finally, social affirmation may be supported through social interaction; giving and receiving peer support; and performance, which confers status, a sense of giving something back to the community, pride and opportunities for positive reinforcement. Further research needs to identify the mechanisms through which music is able to achieve these effects.

Subjective well-being and engagement in arts, culture and sport

“…They found well-being to be enhanced as musical performances are 'therapeutic in the broadest sense', providing immersion in the performance through the act of performing (for the performer) and emotional effects (for the audience). Other research is also indicative of the positive effects of listening to music (Wang and Wong 2014: 100) and playing instruments (Creech et al 2013). Using UK case study evidence, Creech et al (2013) report positive effects from active music-making among the elderly which provides a sense of purpose, autonomy and social interaction.…”

“…Other research is also indicative of the positive effects of listening to music (Wang and Wong 2014: 100) and playing instruments (Creech et al 2013). Using UK case study evidence, Creech et al (2013) report positive effects from active music-making among the elderly which provides a sense of purpose, autonomy and social interaction. Meanwhile, Daykin et al (2013) consider impacts of music on young offenders through a systematic literature review.…”

“…social housing tenants, older individuals (Marsh et al 2010: 19). Other research has identified positive associations between satisfaction and playing music, crafts and purchasing works of art (Michalos 2005;Creech et al 2013). However, it has also been identified that while frequency is important in determining the satisfaction obtained from certain arts activities (consistent with the DCMS findings), a more nuanced understanding is required: greater frequency does not always equate to greater satisfaction (Michalos andKahlke 2010, 2008;Michalos 2005).…”

Promoting well-being through group drumming with mental health service users and their carers

“…Group singing interventions have pointed to increases in general well-being (Clift et al, 2010), self-esteem, social bonding and meaning (Cohen et al, 2006; Davidson, 2011; Tarr, Launey, & Dunbar, 2014). With older adults, interventions focused on engaging with musical instruments have provided evidence towards anxiety reduction (Hars, Herrmann, Gold, Rizzoli, & Trombetti, 2014), a sense of accomplishment (Perkins & Williamon, 2014), purpose, control, autonomy, social well-being (Creech, Hallam, Varvarigou, McQueen, & Gaunt, 2013), and increased cognitive function (Seinfeld, Figueroa, Ortiz-Gil, & Sandrez-Vives, 2013). …”

Is Group Singing Special? Health, Well‐Being and Social Bonds in Community‐Based Adult Education Classes

“…These positive social outcomes of singing seem to start early: the national UK 'Sing Up' program with primary-school-aged children has shown a significant positive association between singing ability and a child's sense of being socially included (Welch, Himonides, Saunders, Papageorgi, & Sarazin, 2014). This continues into old age, where individuals involved in music-making have demonstrated a greater improvement in social affirmation compared to those participating in book clubs, crafts, language classes, and yoga (Creech, Hallam, Varvarigou, McQueen, & Gaunt, 2013).Any form of music-making in groups involves a number of behaviours that might independently influence the connection felt among group members: sharing motivation and Dean, & Bailes, 2013). These shared goals, attention foci and successes are all likely to enhance feelings of closeness and affiliation with the group.…”