Singing, health and well-being: A health psychologist's review

ABSTRACT - Research is reviewed on singing, health and well-beingfrom the perspective of health psychology. In accordance with a multidimensional, biopsychosocial conceptual framework commonly used by health psychologists, the review is organized by biological, psychological and social factors that collectively contribute to health. Studies using quantitative and qualitative methods are reviewed that include singing prescribed as intervention, and research with professional and amateur singers. Although research findings are often inconclusive, preliminary evidence suggests possible benefits of breathing and short-term immune response. Mood, stress, and social responses may vary with amateur or professional status and nature of the singing activity (group or solo, rehearsal or performance). Potential mechanisms and variables for future study are proposed. Recommendations for further research include studies that are interdisciplinary, address basic descriptive phenomena as well as explanatory mechanisms, utilize appropriate methods and controls while maintaining validity, measure long-term health, examine potential drawbacks of singing, and explore linkages among biological, psychological and social processes. KEYWORDS - singing, health, well-being, singing and health, singing and well-being The idea that singing may be conducive to wellbeing is an old one. In Cervantes' (1605/1885) 17th century novel, Don Quixote states that "he who sings scares away his woes" (p. 171). Longfellow's (1881) poem "The Day is Done" similarly suggests the power of singing to drive away sorrow (e.g., "Such songs have power to quiet The restless pulse of care"; p. 134). In addition, Hunter (1999) reports on references to physical health benefits of singing in his review of articles published between 1891 and 1949 in a popular music magazine, The Etude. Why might singing be beneficial? Everyday experience suggests that singing favorite, upbeat songs may energize us or even provide a physical workout. Indeed, singing was discussed by several Etude authors as an appropriate means of exercising the lungs in women, because they were often prohibited from participating in exercise, and, moreover, had to wear restricting corsets (Hunter, 1999). Hunter (1999) also reports that Etude authors described singing as a pleasant diversion for hospitalized patients. Given that positive mood and exercise are generally related to good health (Pressman & Cohen, 2005), it is not unreasonable to expect potential benefits to health from singing. Is there research evidence to support the common-sense and anecdotal claims of benefits of singing to health and well-being? In contrast to research on benefits of music to health or well-being, singing is under-researched. A search of a common psychology database (Psychlnfo) yielded 550 journal articles on music (and not singing), health or well-being, in contrast to 48 articles on singing, health or well-being. Research on singing varies widely in purpose, methodological approach, and measures. Examples include a quasi-experimental study of successful aging in choral members vs. nonchoral members of a retirement community (Wise, Hartmann, & Fischer, 1992); an experimental study of singing as an inexpensive and non-pharmacological treatment for distress following knee surgery (Giaquinto, Cacciato, Minasi, Sostero, &: Amanda, 2006), and associations between performance satisfaction and immune response in professional choral singers (Beck, Cesario, Yousefi, & Enamoto, 2000). Given the varying populations and methodological approaches, perhaps it is not surprising that the research lacks an overarching theoretical framework, including what is meant by health and well-being. One objective of the present review is to consolidate research on singing, health and well-being into a common conceptual framework in order to facilitate its evaluation, consideration of possible mechanisms by which singing may have its effects, and suggestions for further research. …