Character strength-based attributes as explanatory factors in the wellbeing benefits of music

Music use - both receptive (listening) and productive (playing) - can promote psychological wellbeing, but effects depend on the motivation for using music. This cross-sectional study explored how character strengths and personality might explain relationships between different music use motivations and subjective wellbeing in a large global sample of adults. Participants (N = 7294) completed measures of music use motivations, character strengths, personality, demographics, and wellbeing (psychological wellbeing and satisfaction with life). Music use motivations were associated with age, musicianship, gender and distinct personality and character strength profiles. Using music for emotional regulation negatively predicted wellbeing, mediated by neuroticism. However, character strengths of appreciation of beauty and excellence, kindness and spirituality and humour partially counteracted this effect. Using music for social reasons positively predicted wellbeing through the character strengths of love, teamwork and curiosity. The findings suggest music may facilitate access to character strengths that promote wellbeing. However, for emotion regulation use, neuroticism may override these positive pathways, resulting in poorer wellbeing. Understanding individuals' strengths and motivations is therefore important for optimising the wellbeing benefits of music. Longitudinal research is however needed to clarify causal directions, which could have implications for tailoring music interventions to personal strengths to enhance wellbeing outcomes.