Listening to gospel music benefits mental health of older people

Washington: A new research has found that listening to religious music among older Christians is associated with a decrease in anxiety about death and increases in life satisfaction, self-esteem, and sense of control over their lives.

In particular, listening to gospel music is associated with a decrease in anxiety about death and an increase in sense of control.

These associations are similar for blacks and whites, women and men, and individuals of both low- and high socio-economic status.

The article, titled 'Listening to Religious Music and Mental Health in Later Life,' was authored by Matt Bradshaw, PhD, of Baylor University; Christopher G. Ellison, PhD, of the University of Texas-San Antonio; Qijan Fang, MA, of Bowling Green State University; and Collin Mueller, MA, of Duke University.

"Religion is an important socio-emotional resource that has been linked with desirable mental health outcomes among older U.S. adults," the authors stated.

"This study shows that listening to religious music may promote psychological well-being in later life," they added.

The research is published online in The Gerontologist.

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