Science University Research Symposium (SURS)
Publication Date
Fall 11-11-2025
College
College of Sciences & Mathematics
Department
Psychological Science, Department of
SURS Faculty Advisor
Micheal Oliver
Presentation Type
Metadata Only
Abstract
Mental health disorders are a significant concern in today’s society. Music therapy has been shown to be an effective intervention for conditions such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and insomnia. However, it is not clear if the benefits function the same across different ages. The present study examined the influence of music on mental health across age using a publicly available dataset from Kaggle.com. We hypothesized that music listening would be associated with improved mental health outcomes regardless of age and that increased listening time would correlate with lower anxiety and depression. Results indicated that daily hours of music consumption were associated with depression and anxiety, but not insomnia and OCD. Greater daily music listening was linked to higher depression scores, suggesting that excessive listening may correspond with increased psychological distress. Findings also revealed that older adults experienced more positive effects from music listening compared to younger participants, implying that the therapeutic benefits of music may depend on both listening habits and underlying emotional states. Additionally, individuals who actively play or compose music reported lower levels of mental health symptoms, supporting the idea that creative engagement in music may offer protective effects. Overall, these results suggest that moderate music listening may be a valuable tool for enhancing mental well-being.
Recommended Citation
cleve, margaret; Newborn, Kaniyah; and Magro, Luke, "Music's Effect on the Mental Health of Differing Age Groups" (2025). Science University Research Symposium (SURS). 246.
https://repository.belmont.edu/surs/246
