Studies // Cited work

Music as emotional self-regulation throughout adulthood

Saarikallio, S. (2011). Music as emotional self-regulation throughout adulthood.

Level D Qualitative study doi:10.1177/0305735610374894

What this study supports

Supports the claim that music-related emotional self-regulation goals and strategies remain broadly similar across adulthood, with some age- and event-related changes. Qualitative and small; no effect measures.

Who was studied
21 adults aged 21 to 70 in group interviews.
Design
Qualitative study
Level of evidence
Cross-sectional, observational, qualitative work and narrative reviews.

Claims that rest on it

Each claim states what the site asserts, at what strength, and with what caveat.

EmpiricalLevel DConfidence HIGH

People across adolescence and adulthood describe using music to regulate emotion, and self-reported use is associated with preferences for energetic, rhythmic music and with higher neuroticism.

Scope
Qualitative interviews (8 adolescents; 21 adults aged 21 to 70), a survey of 794 students and a meta-analysis of 13 correlational studies (r = .22 for neuroticism).
Caveat
These data describe use and correlates of use, not whether music regulation is effective.

Last reviewed · Review due · music-used-for-emotion-regulation