Listening to religious music can keep mental health issues like anxiety and depression at bay among older adults, a new study finds.
Many scientific studies have confirmed the benefits of music on health. A new study by a team of researchers found that religious music may have great mental health benefits, especially among older adults.
According to the study findings, listening to religious music reduces people's anxiety about death and increases life satisfaction, self-esteem and sense of control over their lives.
"Religion is an important socio-emotional resource that has been linked with desirable mental health outcomes among older U.S. adults," the authors stated in a press statement. "This study shows that listening to religious music may promote psychological well-being in later life."
The study was conducted in two halves - the first one in 2001 and the other in 2004. A total of 1,024 individuals took part in the study. Researchers used data from the nationwide Religion, Aging, and Health Survey of older U.S. adults. All participants of the survey were non-institutionalized, English speaking, and at least 65 years of age. These participants included those who were Christians, those who identified themselves as Christians but no longer practiced any religion and those who were not affiliated to any religion ever.
The survey respondents were asked how often they listened to both religious music and gospel music on a scale ranging from "never" to "several times a day." Researchers then measured the participants' death anxiety, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and sense of control levels by asking them simple questions.
"Given that religious music is available to most individuals - even those with health problems or physical limitations that might preclude participating in more formal aspects of religious life - it might be a valuable resource for promoting mental health later in the life course," the authors wrote.
This is not the first study that has highlighted the effects of music on mental health. A 2011 study found that music can reduce anxiety and may also have positive effects on mood, pain and quality of life among cancer patients.
Other studies have shown that listening to and playing music can also lower levels of cortisol (stress hormones). In November last year, the American Psychological Association released a detailed report about how music can be used to treat depression, anxiety, stress and even pain.
Music, however, should not be considered as the only treatment to cure mental and physical health problems. Health experts recommend using music therapy compliment to ongoing treatments. Researchers have also highlighted that music therapy is only effective when done under the care of a professionally trained therapist.
The current study was published online in The Gerontologist.
