The interplay between music engagement and affect: A random-intercept cross-lagged panel analysis

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Music Psychology
• Affective Science

Background:

• Music engagement influences emotional states.
• Previous research shows links between music and affect, but the bidirectional relationship over time is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the bidirectional relationship between music engagement (passive and active) and affect over time.
• To examine how quantitative and qualitative music engagement relate to positive and negative affect.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study over 8 weeks with 428 participants.
• Weekly online surveys measuring quantitative music engagement (time spent), qualitative music engagement (mood regulation), and affect (positive/negative).
• Analysis using random-intercept cross-lagged panel models.

Main Results:

• Increased music listening time was associated with decreased negative affect.
• Higher negative affect predicted increased use of music for mood regulation (listening and making).
• No significant associations were found with positive affect.

Conclusions:

• Music engagement and affect have a bidirectional relationship, particularly concerning negative affect.
• Music plays a significant role in emotion regulation.
• Future research should explore diverse samples and individual/contextual factors.