Group Singing and Quality of Life

Abstract

International research has broadly reported positive effects of singing on health. Choral singing, a social activity, can contribute to health and social and emotional well-being through enhancing individual and social variables, such as a sense of motivation, personal worth, concentration, and social engagement. This cross-sectional study aimed to establish a quantitative model to explain how multiple attributes of choral singing interact to impact on different dimensions of health and well-being. Using data from an Australian subsample within a multinational project, the results, from a series of stepwise hierarchical regression models, showed that choral singing benefited the choir members’ physical and psychological health and well-being through social engagement and a sense of positive identity. Choral singing also impacted social health and well-being positively by promoting feelings of excitement and importance to life, as well as longer duration of involvement in the choir. This study will contribute to developing targeted group singing or social activities to promote continued physical, psychological, and social health.