The Impact of Music Festival Attendance on Young People’s Psychological and Social Well-being

Journal

Psychology of Music

Year

2011

Volume

39

Issue

2

First Page

164

Last Page

181

Abstract

Although the social, emotional, physical and cognitive benefits of engagement in music are well known, little research has been conducted on the psychological benefits of music in the context of music festivals. This article draws on theoretical constructs from the field of positive psychology to interpret the impact of music festival attendance on participants’ psychological and social well-being. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from a focus group and questionnaire survey with young festival-goers aged 18—29 years. Four facets of the music festival experience were identified that were associated with well-being outcomes. These are explored and discussed with reference both to participants’ focus group comments and statistical analysis of questionnaire responses. A conceptual model is presented in order to guide further research in this area, and enable both festival organizers and attendees to take optimal advantage of the potential of music festivals to impact positively on young adults’ psychological and social well-being. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Music and Health Institute Terms

Psychological Outcomes; Questionnaires

Indexed Terms

music festival; young people; positive psychology; social well-being; cognitive ability; Psychodynamics; Well Being

Study Type

Mixed Methods

Disciplines

Psychiatry and Psychology

Document Type

Article

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