Zhu, Hongjuan, Krause, Amanda, and Li, Shen (2024) Exploring the impact of music activities on university students’ well-being: a cross-cultural perspective. In: [Presented at the 12th Triennial Conference of the European Society for the Cognitive Sciences of Music]. From: ESCOM 12: 12th Triennial Conference of the European Society for the Cognitive Sciences of Music, 3-6 July 2024, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

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Abstract

Background Music participation has been linked to enhanced well-being across diverse populations, encompassing subjective well-being among older adults, psychological well-being in the homeless, and self-confidence, happiness, and relaxation in individuals with learning disabilities. Krause et al.'s (2018) measurement identifies five dimensions of well-being experienced through musical activities, including mood and coping, esteem and worth, socialising, cognitive, and self-actualisation. However, the absence of cross-cultural evaluation hinders the understanding of these positive associations in varied cultural contexts.

Aim The current study continues explore these five dimensions of well-being from music participation in different cultural contexts. It aims to address research question: In what ways do participants from the UK, Australia, China, and Singapore vary in their experiences of perceived well-being from music participation?

Methodology The research employs self-report surveys targeting university students in these four countries, collecting demographic data, musical activity engagement, the five dimensions of well-being from music participation, and musicianship using established scales. So far, 266 valid responses have been received: the UK (85), Australia (54), China (109), and Singapore (18).

Results The GLM analysis revealed significant variations in perceived well-being from music participation across the UK, Australia, China, and Singapore. Multivariate tests showed a significant effect of country (Pillai’s Trace = 0.261, F(18, 438) = 2.316, p = .002, η² = 0.087). Post-hoc Tukey HSD tests found significant differences in esteem and worth between China and the UK (MD = 0.7960, p = .001), a marginally significant difference in cognitive between Australia and China (MD = -0.6068, p = .054), and a significant difference in self-actualisation between China and the UK (MD = 0.6365, p = .039). However, 'mood and coping' and 'socialising' did not reach statistical significance. These preliminary findings may change due to issues of power and sample size diversity.

Discussion and conclusion This study shows that participants from the UK, Australia, China, and Singapore experience varying levels of well-being from music participation. These variations suggest cultural factors significantly shape the perceived benefits of music participation, highlighting the need for culturally tailored approaches. The present research is currently in the data collection process and will also explore a qualitative perspective to better understand how cultural contexts influence well-being through music, potentially informing interventions and programs to promote well-being in diverse settings.

Item ID:	83056
Item Type:	Conference Item (Abstract / Summary)
Keywords:	social and applied psychology of music, music psychology, psychology of music, well-being, cross-cultural, music making
Related URLs:	https://www.escomsociety.org/
Date Deposited:	09 Jul 2024 22:55
FoR Codes:	52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5205 Social and personality psychology > 520505 Social psychology @ 60% 36 CREATIVE ARTS AND WRITING > 3603 Music > 360399 Music not elsewhere classified @ 40%
SEO Codes:	13 CULTURE AND SOCIETY > 1301 Arts > 130102 Music @ 40% 28 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 2801 Expanding knowledge > 280121 Expanding knowledge in psychology @ 60%
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