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A brand new examine from the Hebrew College of Jerusalem sheds gentle on how individuals all over the world flip to music—particularly its lyrics—as a software for navigating emotional misery, grief, and isolation throughout instances of disaster.
The examine, led by Prof. Renana Peres and Adi Levy from the Enterprise Faculty and Prof. Roni Granot from the Division of Musicology at Hebrew College, reveals that the phrases in songs play a central position in serving to people regulate their feelings. Whether or not to course of sorrow, really feel much less alone, or preserve emotional steadiness, listeners flip to lyrics that replicate their inside states.
Analyzing greater than 2,800 “coping songs” chosen by individuals from 11 international locations in the course of the first COVID-19 lockdown, the researchers recognized clear patterns between lyrical themes and the emotional objectives of listeners. Songs containing lyrics about loss, life and dying, belonging, or soul have been persistently chosen by these battling unhappiness, loneliness, or a want for private reflection.
The examine, printed in Frontiers of Psychology, discovered that individuals looking for distraction from a disaster have been extra seemingly to decide on songs with themes of loss, whereas these attempting to alleviate loneliness have been drawn to lyrics evoking belonging. In distinction, the acoustic options of the songs—comparable to tempo, concord, or key—confirmed no constant connection to emotional objectives. We might use the lyrics as an anchor, however the way in which they resonate inside every of us emotionally by way of music is particular person.
“This research offers a new perspective on how people use music not just for entertainment, but as a meaningful tool for emotional self-regulation,” mentioned Prof. Granot. “Lyrics embedded in music often give voice to emotions that are difficult to express—grief, remembrance, and hope among them.”
The authors emphasize that whereas music on the whole helps emotional coping, lyrics carry explicit psychological weight. The findings supply potential functions for therapeutic practices, music streaming algorithms, and public well-being initiatives.
“This is the first large-scale empirical study to link lyrical content to emotional coping strategies,” mentioned Prof. Peres. “At a time when many are dealing with personal and collective trauma, understanding the emotional power of lyrics can help us better support mental health—both individually and as a society.”
The researchers counsel that the findings might affect how music is utilized in therapeutic settings, memorial providers, and even in designing algorithms for customized playlists that assist emotional well-being.
Extra data:
Adi Levy et al, Lyrics do matter: how “coping songs” relate to well-being objectives. The COVID pandemic case, Frontiers in Psychology (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1431741
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