Dissertation: Music listening is an excellent tool for alleviating anxiety, and it can be further developed with the support of a music therapist
The study explored music listening within the context of music therapy for anxiety treatment, as well as for alleviating anxiety in everyday life. Additionally, the connection between anxiety and emotion regulation was examined in an experiment where participants alleviated stress by listening to music and podcasts.
Familiar music carries meanings that can help in therapy and emotion regulation
The study identified three roles for music listening in music therapy: transporting information between daily life and therapy, developing of musical identity throughout the therapeutic process, and transferring music as self-care tools back into everyday life. In daily life, music listening helped alleviate anxiety through three specific strategies; however, the results also shed light on factors related to unsuccessful emotional regulation.
– In the light of these findings, the listened music offers a view to the inner world of a person. Sometimes very high anxiety may lead to avoidance or maladaptive use of music, which can contain rumination and excessive strengthening of the negative feeling. With the support of a music therapist, the use of music as self-care can become healthier, Taipale states.
A laboratory experiment showed that both music and podcasts helped manage stress, but music led to a more pleasant and energetic outcome. Music was experienced as personal and emotionally meaningful, while podcasts were found to be intriguing and relaxing due to their information content. Levels of anxiety influenced sensitivity to stimuli and guided the goals of listening. Furthermore, the focus of attention during music listening affected the experience of relaxation.
Research offers tools for mental health services and self-care
The research increases our understanding of music listening as a versatile tool for both self-care and music therapy. It characterizes both music use and anxiety as phenomenological continuums between health and illness. This knowledge can be utilized to develop mental health services and to increase public awareness regarding anxiety symptoms and the possibilities of self-care through music.
The research was conducted as part of the Centre of Excellence in Music, Mind, Body and Brain, and the MUSICONNECT project, which examines music as a resource of wellbeing in the daily lives of young people.
MA Marianne Taipale’s doctoral dissertation in music therapy, titled “Bridging everyday music listening with music therapy: the potentials of music listening for treating and alleviating anxiety,” will be examined on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 12:00 at the University of Jyväskylä, Historica building, hall H320.
Opponent: Professor Michael Silverman (University of Minnesota)
Custos: Professor Suvi Saarikallio (University of Jyväskylä)
Event Language: English
The dissertation is available online: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-86-1514-9
Further information:
Marianne Taipale
marianne.h.taipale@jyu.fi
+358 50 428 4234
