Musical Health: The Effects of Active Music-Making on the Mental Health of College Students

Abstract

Depression and anxiety have been identified as a common mental health disorders in college students, resulting in reduced quality of life and increased psychological stress. Music interventions have been shown to have potential healing abilities; however, research on subpopulations is limited. The present study sought to explore the effects active music-making had on the mental health of college students, particularly first-generation and racial and ethnic minority students. Using a sample of 69 students from Texas State University, the research found that anxiety scores significantly declined after a single lesson in active music-making, suggesting a potential benefit for mental health. Additional findings reveal that Hispanic students may be particularly likely to benefit from these types of interventions. Further research is needed to fully understand the effectiveness of active music-making interventions on subpopulations like first generation status and race/ethnicity.