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Changes in mood, oxytocin, and cortisol following group and individual singing: A pilot study
Published version of a preprint
Abstract
Group singing elevates mood, increases social bonding, and regulates stress. However, the question remains as to how much of the singer’s mood-boost is derived from social aspects of group singing and how much can be achieved through singing alone. In the current study, we adopted a sociobiological approach to investigate the underpinnings of the mood-boosting effect of singing. Using a within-subjects design, self-report mood, salivary oxytocin, and salivary cortisol were assessed before and after group and individual singing conditions. This study uncovered several important findings: group singing elevated mood, whereas individual singing did not. Importantly, although both group and individual singing led to decreases in cortisol, only group singing led to increases in oxytocin. Further analysis revealed that oxytocin, but not cortisol, significantly correlated with mood. These findings suggest that the mood-boosting effect of singing is likely due to social aspects and is influenced by changes in oxytocin.
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“In contrast, fast-tempo music or singing may initially activate the HPA axis due to increased arousal or stress, which can temporarily suppress OXT release, even though the HPA responses may decrease by the end of the intervention (Bowling et al., 2022; Fancourt et al., 2016; Good and Russo, 2022; Grape et al., 2003; Jezova et al., 2013; Keeler et al., 2015; Ooishi et al., 2017; Schladt et al., 2”
From Music's context-dependent influence on oxytocin, social bonding, and emotion regulation: a systematic review (2026) · cites this paper as Good and Russo, 2022
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“but increased in healthy older adults Good and Russo, (2022).”
From Music's context-dependent influence on oxytocin, social bonding, and emotion regulation: a systematic review (2026) · cites this paper as Good and Russo, (2022)
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“Good and Russo (2022) (z = −2.142, p = 0.032)”
From Music's context-dependent influence on oxytocin, social bonding, and emotion regulation: a systematic review (2026) · cites this paper as Good and Russo (2022)
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Metadata
- Authors
- Good, A., & Russo, F. A.
- Affiliations
- Toronto Metropolitan University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Good, Arla
- Venue
- Psychology of Music
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2021-10-25
- Volume
- 50
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 1340-1347
- ISSN
- 0305-7356 (ISSN-L)
- 1741-3087
- OpenAlex
- W3208556599
- Cited by
- 46
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 3
- FWCI
- 4.16
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychology of Music (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (890-2017-0130)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Music Therapy and Health
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Music Perception
- Keywords
- group singing, mood, oxytocin, cortisol, social bonding, stress regulation, sociobiology, salivary biomarkers
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