Meta-analysis on the effects of music participation on social and emotional measures across the lifespan

The purpose of this study was to conduct a random-effects meta-analysis to measure the overall mean effect of music participation on social and emotional measures in participants across the lifespan. Results showed small to medium overall effects ( N = 18,564, k = 56, g = .23, p < .0001, 95% confident interval = [.16, .29]), indicating subjects who participated in music had better scores on social and emotional measures compared with those participating in other activities (such as sports) or no other activities (passive control group). Moderator analysis showed no statistical differences across seven moderators. Results did not differ by age of the participants, type of scale used (social or emotional), research design (cross-sectional or experimental), presence of an active or passive control group, if the study was located at a school site or elsewhere (such as a town community center), length of the intervention, or the type of musical activities experienced by the participants (singing, instrumental, or both). Overall, the results suggest that the social and emotional benefits of participating in musical activities transcend age and type of music making. The utility of music participation as a conduit of social or emotional growth appears to be empirically supported.