The Role of Musical Mood Regulation for Efficacy Beliefs and Hope in the Climate Crisis

Climate change is associated with a range of emotional responses, yet little is known about the role of music in regulating climate-related emotions and supporting adaptive psychological outcomes. Because music is widely used to regulate emotions and can foster positive affect, emotional coping, and resilience, it may also help individuals maintain hope when confronting the challenges of climate change. The present study examined whether music-based mood regulation of climate emotions is associated with hope, and whether this relationship is mediated by climate efficacy beliefs. A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 310 adults. Participants reported their use of music to regulate climate-related emotions, climate efficacy beliefs (self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, collective efficacy, and collective outcome expectancy), and hope. Relationships among the variables were examined using correlation analyses and structural equation modeling. Several music-based regulation strategies, particularly solace, diversion, strong sensation, and revival, were positively associated with hope. Some regulation strategies were also positively associated with self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, and collective outcome expectancy, whereas no significant bivariate associations emerged with collective efficacy. Structural equation modeling indicated a significant total indirect effect of music-based regulation on hope through climate efficacy beliefs. However, only self-efficacy and collective efficacy emerged as significant mediators. Outcome expectancy and collective outcome expectancy did not significantly mediate the association. The direct association between music-based regulation and hope remained significant, indicating partial mediation. These findings suggest that individuals who use music to regulate climate-related emotions report greater hope and that this association is partly explained by stronger perceptions of personal and collective capability. Climate efficacy beliefs emerged as a small yet significant pathway linking music-based regulation and hope. Music may therefore represent an accessible everyday resource that supports adaptive engagement with climate emotions and fosters hope in the context of climate change.