Using latent profile and network analyses to characterize individuals with musical anhedonia: An explorative study

Musical anhedonia, characterized by the inability to derive pleasure from music, is a relatively underexplored form of anhedonia. It remains unclear whether it constitutes a distinct condition or a component of a broader anhedonia construct. This study aimed to examine potential subgroups of musical anhedonia and explore its relationships with other forms of anhedonia. A total of 3942 university students completed self-reported questionnaires assessing musical, state, physical, social, anticipatory and consummatory anhedonia. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was employed to identify potential groups. Network analysis was conducted to explore the inter-relationships between musical anhedonia and other types of anhedonia. LPA identified four groups: high musical anhedonia, low musical hedonia, musical hedonia, and musical hyperhedonia. The “high musical anhedonia group” showing more severe physical, social, anticipatory, and consummatory anhedonia compared to the other groups. Network analysis revealed strong connections between musical anhedonia and anticipatory as well as consummatory anhedonia. Mood Regulation was the most central node. Significant differences were observed in network structure and global strength across groups. This study provides new insights into the distinct profiles of musical anhedonia and its relationship with other types of anhedonia, which may inspire music-based therapeutic interventions for anhedonia.