Passion, music, and psychological well-being

Abstract

Passionate music engagement is a defining feature of music fans worldwide. Although benefits to psychosocial well-being are often experienced by fans of music, some fans experience maladaptive outcomes from their music engagement. The Dualistic Model of Passion proposes that two types of passion—harmonious and obsessive—are associated with positive and negative outcomes of passionate engagement, respectively. This model has been employed in research on passion for a wide range of pursuits including music performers, but not for passionate listeners. The present study employed this model to investigate whether (1) harmonious passion for music is associated with positive music listening experiences and/or psychological well-being and (2) obsessive passion for music is associated with negative music listening experiences and/or psychological ill-being. Passionate fans ( n = 197) of 40 different musical genres were surveyed about their experiences when listening to their favorite music. Measures included the passion scale, affective experiences with music, and psychological well-being and ill-being. Results supported the Dualistic Model of Passion. Structural equation modeling revealed that harmonious passion for music predicted positive affective experiences which, in turn, predicted psychological well-being. Conversely, obsessive passion for music predicted negative affective experiences which, in turn, predicted psychological ill-being. The findings suggest that the nature of passionate engagement with music has an integral role in the psychological impact of music engagement and implications for the well-being of music fans.

Multiple Passions and Psychosomatic Health

“…Previous Polish studies have shown that HP was associated with higher levels of subjective vitality, whereas OP was not related to subjective vitality [8,9]. Vallerand [10] highlighted that HP contributed to positive emotions and well-being, as well as preventing negative emotions, whereas OP appeared not to contribute these to these positive effects, in addition to being a risk factor for ill-being (e.g., Powell et al [11,12]).…”

Harmonizing Life in a Post-Pandemic World: A Qualitative Exploration of Music’s Multidimensional Impact on Psychological Well-being

“…These feelings of inspiration can be akin to spiritual experiences, where individuals draw strength and meaning from music. In this way, music serves as a source of spiritual nourishment, providing individuals with a sense of purpose and connection to the world (Powell et al, 2023).…”

“…Music served as a powerful emotional outlet, helping individuals navigate the complex terrain of postpandemic emotions. Participants used music to soothe nerves, find solace, and express their feelings when words fell short (Powell et al, 2023).…”