The Impact of Religious Music on Psychological Well-Being: A Survey Study of Chinese Christians in Hong Kong Churches

This cross-sectional survey investigates the relationship between listening to religious music and psychological well-being among Chinese Christians in Hong Kong, addressing a critical gap in Asian studies. Data were collected from 243 participants through a survey comprising demographic questions, music-listening habits (weekly frequency, average duration, and music era preference), and the 24-item Chinese Ryff Psychological Well-being Scale. Multiple linear regression and ANOVA analyses reveal that the average duration of listening to religious music positively associates with overall psychological well-being and its six dimensions, while frequency shows a negative relationship. Traditional religious music (composed in or before 1980) is associated with significantly higher well-being scores than contemporary religious music. These findings highlight the complexity of religious music’s impact, emphasizing the interplay between the optimal listening regimen, cultural resonance, music engagement and predictive coding in music. The study bridges a literature gap by applying Ryff’s model to religious music and providing valuable insights for integrating religious music into therapeutic and community care settings. Practical applications include educational seminars and counselling strategies to promote psychological health. Limitations, such as methodological biases and the small sample for music preference comparisons, underscore the need for replication and expanded research with larger, more diverse samples. Future research should explore the moderating effects of frequency on duration and cross-cultural differences and use comparative, longitudinal or qualitative designs to deepen understanding. These findings affirm the power of religious music, rooted in Christian tradition, to enhance psychological well-being and actualize its potential in contemporary contexts.