The Influence of Parent–Child Relationships on Musical Activity in the Family: Findings from a Longitudinal Panel Study

Abstract

Singing and playing musical instruments is seen as beneficial for parent–child relationships. Using longitudinal data from the German Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics (Pairfam) we investigate the role of specific facets of parent–child relationships as predictors of family musical activity, namely Intimacy, that is, the degree of mutual sharing of thoughts and feelings, Admiration, that is, positive affirmative attitudes, and Prosocial Behavior, that is, showing empathy and consideration for others. Study 1 included responses from a total of N = 1,339 parents (71% mothers) and N = 1,783 children (52% male), and Study 2 differentiates between specific subsamples of parent–child relations. Data were submitted to a series of regression models. Study 1 showed that higher values of Intimacy were associated with greater music activities for both parent and child even when general levels of music activities decreased over time. Study 2 addressed cases in which mothers and fathers independently assessed the same child. The results showed similar patterns of association for both parents and children across studies. In addition, mothers perceived higher levels of family music activities than did fathers. Finally, high levels of Intimacy were associated with increased family music activity against the general trend of decline. Taken together, a strong and consistent pattern of a positive relationship between, on the one hand, mutual parent–child perceptions of trust and confidence, that is, Intimacy, and on the other hand, music activity, was found. These results confirm and extend earlier work to suggest a certain role of the quality of family relationships in pursuing musical activities from childhood to adolescence.

How music-induced emotions affect sexual attraction: evolutionary implications

“…Furthermore, the impact of musicality and music on different types of mate preferences ( Buss and Schmitt, 2019 ) has not been sufficiently studied so far (but see Charlton, 2014 ; Madison et al, 2018 ). Although short-term mating behavior is most relevant for the theory of sexual selection, music activities may increase the quality of long-term relationships by creating intimacy between partners (see Kreutz and Feldhaus, 2023 ). Moreover, a broader spectrum of mate cues needs to be studied to get a better understanding of the relative importance of music-related cues, as well as other cues of human artisticality ( Varella, 2021 ), creativity ( Kaufman et al, 2016 ; Novaes and Natividade, 2023 ) and humor ( Kaufman et al, 2008 ).…”

“…Sexual selection itself comprises two pathways, namely intrasexual competition, involving dominance and prestige ( Fisher and Candea, 2012 ; Varella et al, 2017 ), and intersexual selection, associated with fitness indicators as well as aesthetic aspects (see Prum, 2012 ; Davis and Arnocky, 2022 ). Modern sexual selection theory discusses several intersexual processes, such as good taste ( Davis and Arnocky, 2022 ), good genes, good partners, and good providers ( Buss and Shackelford, 2008 ), good parents ( Kreutz and Feldhaus, 2023 ) and good relationship maintenance ( Evans et al, 2022 ). Crucially, adaptationist accounts are not necessarily mutually exclusive: although various theories emphasize distinct, and possibly complementary, functions for musicality, they broadly agree that evolutionary pressures played a defining role in the origins of musicality.…”