Benefits of choral singing for social and mental wellbeing: qualitative findings from a cross-national survey of choir members
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study is to explore the benefits of choral singing for mental wellbeing and health as perceived by a cross‐national sample of amateur choral singers. Design/methodology/approach Data consisted of written responses to open‐ended questions. These were derived from 169 participants selected from a larger dataset reporting high and low levels of emotional wellbeing on the WHOQOL‐BREF questionnaire. A majority of participants were female and aged over 50. A thematic analysis was followed by a content analysis and Pearson chi square analyses. Comparisons were made between different ages, genders and nationalities and participants with high and low reported emotional wellbeing. Findings The analysis revealed multiple themes covering perceived benefits in social, emotional, physical, and cognitive domains. There were no significant differences in frequency of themes across any of the participant sociodemographic and wellbeing categories. The results indicate that benefits of singing may be experienced similarly irrespective of age, gender, nationality or wellbeing status. Research limitations/implications Implications for further research include future use of validated instruments to measure outcomes and research into the benefits of singing in other cultures. The results of this study suggest that choral singing could be used to promote mental health and treat mental illness. Originality/value This study examines a cross‐national sample which is larger than previous studies in this area. These findings contribute to understanding of the complex and interacting factors which might contribute to wellbeing and health, as well as specific benefits of singing.
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Regular choral singing is associated with enhanced perceptions of positive affect, well-being, and quality of life, including among older adults.
“One recurrent finding is that regular choral singing is associated with enhanced perceptions of positive affect, well-being, and quality of life, including among older adults (Clift and Hancox, 2010; Clift et al., 2010a; Livesey et al., 2012).”
From Psychobiological Effects of Choral Singing on Affective State, Social Connectedness, and Stress: Influences of Singing Activity and Time Course (2018) · cites this paper as Livesey et al., 2012
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- Authors
- Livesey, L., Morrison, I., Clift, S., & Camic, P.
- Affiliations
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- Canterbury Christ Church University (GB)
- Venue
- Journal of Public Mental Health
- Publisher
- Emerald
- Published
- 2012-03-16
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 10-26
- ISSN
- 1746-5729 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2103507500
- Cited by
- 144
- References
- 66
- Citations by year
- 2026: 14 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 4.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Public Mental Health (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Music Therapy and Health
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Music › Diverse Music Education Insights
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Conservation › Art Therapy and Mental Health
- Keywords
- choral singing, amateur choirs, psychological well-being, emotional well-being, social well-being, mental health promotion, psychiatric treatment, sociodemographic differences, cross-national comparison
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