Glossary // Glossary term Theoretical

Flow

A state of deep absorption in an activity, characterised by concentrated attention, a sense of control, merging of action and awareness, and altered perception of time, described by Csikszentmihalyi. It is thought to arise when the challenge of a task is balanced with a person's skill, although studies find that this balance predicts flow only under some conditions and for some people. Flow is measured mainly by self-report during or after activities, and it is not the same as relief or emotional resolution.

Where the site uses it

Music and emotion regulation: what listening can and cannot change
People use music to change, maintain and release emotional states. This note reviews meta-analyses of music and stress, studies of how people regulate mood with music, and what the evidence cannot yet say about resolution.
Use shared rhythm for connection, and be clear about what it gives you
Dancing, singing and moving in synchrony with others increases closeness and cooperation and lifts mood acutely. Treat these as real benefits, and do not expect them to resolve the difficulties you bring with you.

Studies behind it

The works the definition rests on, with the level of evidence each was appraised at.

Engeser, S., & Rheinberg, F. (2008). Flow, performance and moderators of challenge-skill balance. doi:10.1007/s11031-008-9102-4

Level D Cross-sectional study

Cited for the claim that the relation between challenge–skill balance and flow depends on moderators. Samples and effect sizes were not re-verified from an abstract and are not stated on the site.