Everyday music listening and its impact on affect regulation and physical activity.

Background: Advancements in mobile technology have increased individual‘s opportunities for music listening (ML). The relationship between ML and affect regulation (AR), and ML and physical activity (PA) is well documented. However, laboratory-based experimental work lacks ecological validity. This study will use mobile Experience Sampling Methods (mESM) to examine the effect of ML on AR and PA in naturalistic settings and over time.
Method: The mESM application MuPsych will collect real-time data using 156 participants aged 18 and older, observation will run for two weeks. MuPsych will collect momentary assessments of emotional experiences (valence and arousal) during randomly sampled episodes of ML and non-musical episodes in everyday contexts. PA data (daily step count) will be measured by pedomenter application Accupedo. The Mental-Health Continuum-SF, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Adaptive Functions of Music Listening Scale will be completed by participants at baseline and endpoint. Paired-sample t-tests will determine the efficacy of ML for AR and PA relative to other
activities. Hierarchical regression analyses will examine relationships between emotional experiences, level of PA, ML behaviour and well-being.
Findings: It is hypothesized that AR and PA will be greater in ML episodes that non-musical. It is expected that PA, adaptive emotional experiences, and greater ML will predict improved well-being. Findings presented in August.
Discussion: This study builds upon laboratory research and examines the impact of ML on AR and PA in naturalistic settings. It evaluates ML as a cost-effective mHealth intervention for improving AR and increasing health behaviour (PA).