Music in times of COVID-19

Abstract

In March 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced the first global pandemic officially caused by a coronavirus. Public health measures (e.g., increased handwashing, reducing social contacts) were introduced to reduce the rate of transmission, including the closure of spaces and events that would encourage high levels of social interaction along with ‘lockdowns' confining people to the vicinity of their homes. The scale of the disruption caused by the considerable number of cases, and the implementation of lockdowns led to widespread social and emotional disruption. Uncertainty, and financial insecurity arising from these measures cascaded into widespread increases in stress, fear, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, anger, and sleep disorders. This created a unique situation where music-related behaviours and music therapy played an important role. The current chapter reviews how music was used in a range of contexts and settings to support the social, emotional, and physical needs that developed because of the coronavirus pandemic and resulting lockdowns. We aim to highlight the rapid changes that occurred in relation to music use in the general population and music therapy practices as the world adjusted to the new challenges posed by the unprecedented circumstances.

Perceptions of Stress and Mood Associated With Listening to Music in Daily Life During the COVID-19 Lockdown

“…Moreover, historical evidence suggests that, particularly in times of crisis and disasters, individuals across cultures turn to music to lift their mood and to increase feelings of social connectedness . This evidence is supported by recent research that investigated the role of music during the COVID-19 pandemic . According to a multinational representative survey, individuals across countries reported an increase in hours spent listening to music during the first COVID-19 lockdown, particularly for the purpose of mood regulation .…”

“… 13 This evidence is supported by recent research that investigated the role of music during the COVID-19 pandemic. 14 According to a multinational representative survey, individuals across countries reported an increase in hours spent listening to music during the first COVID-19 lockdown, particularly for the purpose of mood regulation. 15 Moreover, music listening was found to be associated with lower depressive symptoms and psychological distress during lockdown 16 and higher life satisfaction, even when compared with other leisure activities, such as watching movies.…”

“…Music listening qualifies as a helpful means of self-regulation during such times of crisis, as indicated by previous research. 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 However, the real-time and real-life stress- and mood-regulatory capacities of music listening in daily life remain to be investigated, to our knowledge.…”

Editorial: Social Convergence in Times of Spatial Distancing: The Role of Music During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…See, e.g., the special issues of International Journal of Community Music (Clift, 2021 ), of Rock Music Studies (Burns and Kitts, 2021 ), of Journal of Sonic Studies on “Sound at Home” (Abildgaard et al, 2021a , b ), of Journal of Music, Health, and Wellbeing on “Musicking through COVID-19: Challenges, Adaptations, and New Practices” (Williams et al, 2021 ), and potentially many others. Review articles summarizing and critically synthesizing the growing literature on music during the COVID-19 pandemic are steadily emerging (Howlin and Hansen, in press ; Hansen, in press A ). Howlin and Hansen ( in press ), for example, appraise publications on music use in the general public as well as in music-therapeutic practice.…”

“…Review articles summarizing and critically synthesizing the growing literature on music during the COVID-19 pandemic are steadily emerging (Howlin and Hansen, in press ; Hansen, in press A ). Howlin and Hansen ( in press ), for example, appraise publications on music use in the general public as well as in music-therapeutic practice.…”