The role of music in perinatal mental health, with a psychoneuroimmunological perspective

Abstract

Music has a profound and widespread impact, fostering social connectedness across diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. It plays a significant role in individuals’ lives – used for relaxation, emotional expression, and entertainment. In recent years, a growing body of research has demonstrated the therapeutic potential of music in both mental and physical health contexts. Music-based interventions have been successfully employed in a range of clinical settings, including for the management of anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorder. Emerging evidence has highlighted the role of music in supporting perinatal mental health. Studies indicate that music-based interventions can ease anxiety and depressive symptoms during pregnancy and the postnatal period, promote maternal-infant bonding, and assist women in coping during labour. These interventions are increasingly used due to their cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and suitability for individuals with limited verbal communication abilities. Researchers have also begun to explore the psychoneuroimmunological mechanisms that may underlie these effects. This article aims to explore and synthesise current evidence on how music can support perinatal mental health, while examining the biological and psychological pathways through which these benefits may arise.