Music brings countless benefits both in the early stages of development and in the later ones. Numerous scientific studies show that, with music, we can strengthen health, sleep better, reduce pain, and even increase neural connections.
Now, a new study from the University of Southern California (USC) published in the journal Frontiers In Psychology focuses on the benefits of music during adolescence.
According to this research, music gives adolescents who listen to it a greater well-being. These findings add to the research carried out by scientists from the Brain and Creativity Institute of this same university, which showed that children who learn to play a musical instrument have improved cognitive function compared to those who do not play any instrument. .
In his opinion, music could be an activity to help students develop skills and competencies. Also to exercise their emotions, participate in identity work and strengthen connections with school and the community.
more positive youth
This study focuses on the impact of music on positive youth development, a measure of adolescents’ strengths and potential to contribute to society.
To carry out the study, 120 students from 52 schools in the Los Angeles school district were surveyed. The questions in this survey focused on positive youth development, as well as other aspects such as competence and confidence.
Looking across all the surveys, it was found that students who started music education before the age of 8 were more hopeful about the future, and younger students who received music training scored higher on key measures of positive development.
In addition, the researchers found that students who participate in multiple forms of music education for longer periods of time also score higher on measures of proficiency and hopeful expectations for the future.
#Music education benefits youth wellbeinghttps://t.co/pewtiyiGhr
A USC Thornton School of Music researcher said the results are especially meaningful amid a nationwide mental health crisis. pic.twitter.com/SeAo8XYNxJ
— DHA Laboratory (@DHALab) January 23, 2023
