A Comprehensive Perspective on Gender Differences in Music-based Emotion Regulation Network

Background: Music plays a significant role in emotion regulation, exerting both positive and negative effects. The relationship between music-based emotion regulation, emotion regulation self-efficacy, and emotional symptoms is complex and influenced by gender. Methods: This study examined healthy and unhealthy music use, emotion regulation self-efficacy, and levels of depression, anxiety, and alexithymia among 16,588 Chinese university students (M_age = 19.82 years, standard deviation = 1.78; 55% males, n = 9,128; 45% females, n = 7,460) through an online survey. Gender differences were investigated using a multi-step analytical framework combining independent-sample t -tests, regularized partial correlation network analysis, and network comparison tests. Results: Network comparison analyses revealed significant gender differences in both healthy and unhealthy music-use networks (all invariance tests, P < 0.05). In the healthy-use network, males demonstrated greater node strength for difficulty identifying feelings (DIFs, P = 0.001) and despondency-distress efficacy (DES, P < 0.001), whereas females exhibited higher node strength for depression ( P = 0.022). A similar pattern of male predominance in DIF ( P = 0.005) and DES ( P < 0.001) was observed in the unhealthy-use network. Conclusion: These findings underscore the significance of gender in music-based emotion regulation and highlight the need for gender-sensitive strategies in targeted interventions. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamic interrelations between music use and emotional processes, offering valuable implications for theory, clinical practice, and the development of music-related digital tools and emotion regulation programs.