The role of music in adolescents' mood regulation

TLDR

The study explores how music helps adolescents regulate their mood. The authors used inductive theory construction, gathering data from eight adolescents via group interviews and follow‑up forms, and analyzed it with constructive grounded theory. The analysis produced a theoretical model showing that music helps adolescents meet personal mood goals through various activities, outlining general regulation, goals, strategies, and music’s specific role.

Abstract

The aim of this study was the exploration and theoretical clarification of the role of music in adolescents' mood regulation. The phenomenon was approached through an inductive theory construction. The data were gathered from eight adolescents by means of group interviews and follow-up forms, and were then analysed using constructive grounded theory methods. The analysis resulted in a theoretical model, which describes mood regulation by music as a process of satisfying personal mood-related goals through various musical activities. The general nature of the mood regulation is described, the goals and strategies of mood regulation are examined, and finally the specific role of music in mood regulation is discussed.