The perceived effects of music on health, lifestyle and quality of life

Abstract

The focus of this study was the self-perceived effects of music on health, lifestyle and quality of life. For the study, 15 well adults, age 60 and above, were interviewed in their homes. After selecting and interviewing the first three participants, a snowball technique was used for the selection of the remaining participants. Demographic questionnaire, interview guide and participant observation were utilized. Results of the study suggested relationships among educational level, age, choice of music and the self-self perceived effects of music. Findings of the study suggested that music did have an effect on health, lifestyle and quality of life, and that the participants were able to identify, describe and relate these self-perceived effects to events of significance in their lives. The effect identified most frequently by the participants was referred to as "therapeutic" or "healing." Participants with the highest education and the most refined musical backgrounds were able to identify specific musical compositions and state the effects received; whereas, the remainder of the informants identified "texts" as being most beneficial. Perhaps the most important implication of the study was the fact that the informants with the college degrees also viewed music as the "single most important element" in their lives, and three of them actually stated: Without music, there would be no health, lifestyle or quality of life for me because there would be no life. I would rather be dead than without my music. My music is my life.