How Young People Use Music for Well-Being: A Mixed Methods Approach

Music has the capacity to positively impact young people’s mental health and wellbeing in an everyday, non- clinical context. However, there is little understanding of the mechanisms through which music influences well-being nor of how young people use music for this purpose. This thesis sought to address these gaps in the literature through developing and testing a novel theoretical model an exploratory sequential mixed methods design. In Phase 1, qualitative data was collected from 11 young people during focus interviews which explored their uses of music for well-being. A total of four mechanisms through which young people used music for well-being were identified through thematic analysis: (1) relationship building, (2) modifying cognitions, (3) modifying emotions, and (4) immersing in emotions; from which a theoretical model was derived. Phase 2 tested these four mechanisms as potential mediators of the relationship between music listening and emotional, psychological and social well-being. Quantitative data was obtained via an online survey assessing these constructs, and was administered to a convenience sample of 125 young people aged 17 to 25 years. Frequency of music listening was significantly positively correlated with the four music mechanisms identified in Phase 1. A bootstrapping procedure revealed that music listening had a positive, indirect effect on social wellbeing via the total effect of the four music use mechanisms. However, the model was not supported when emotional or psychological well-being were examined. The findings of both phases are discussed in terms of their theoretical and practical implications, and directions for future research are recommended