Harmonizing Minds

This study explores the psychological mechanisms through which music listening fosters feelings of social connectedness, a subjective awareness of close relationships with the social world, focusing on the roles of music-induced emotions and mental imagery. Using a mixed-effects linear model, we examined the relationships between emotional valence, arousal, dominance, mental imagery, and social connectedness in a sample of Chinese participants (N = 81). Results revealed that both the positivity (valence) of music-induced emotions and the degree of engagement with mental imagery significantly predicted feelings of social connectedness, suggesting that positive emotional experiences and imaginative engagement play key roles in promoting social bonds through music. Familiarity with, and enjoyment of, the music also emerged as significant predictors, while individual demographic factors and other emotional dimensions (arousal and dominance) did not significantly affect social connectedness. These findings highlight the unique power of music to evoke a sense of belonging and provide new insights into the affective and cognitive processes underlying music’s social impact.