Singing and Well-Being Indicators

Abstract

Previous studies have indicated that there are positive effects of music and singing on well-being in adults. The aim of our study was to examine the associations between singing characteristics and well-being indicators (positive affect, negative affect and life satisfaction). The study participants were 221 people (75.1% female) between 18 and 70 years (M = 31.94, SD = 12.89) who were at the time actively involved in any kind of singing activities. Singing characteristics, namely, frequency of singing, singing alone or with others and importance of singing were measured by a questionnaire designed for the purpose of this research. Croatian adaptation of the shortened form of The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS; Watson & Clark, 1994) was used for measuring positive and negative affect, while The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS; Diener et al., 1985) was used for general life satisfaction. We examined the associations between singing characteristics and well-being indicators using correlational and regression analyses. Results of both analyses showed that people who considered singing highly important had higher life satisfaction, and that singing with others was associated with less negative affect. However, these associations were small in size, explaining 2.7% and 6.3% of well-being variance after controlling for age. In line with previous research, when there are significant effects of singing on well-being, they are in direction that singing is associated with higher well-being.