Music is a cultural asset enjoyed by many people around the world. Listening to music can have both positive and negative effects on mental health. Music consumption is increasingly taking place via streaming. The effects of music streaming on a person's mental health depend on the context, musical experiences and preferences, and well-being. Important features of music streaming are the extensive music catalogue of music platforms, barrier-free access and constant availability.
During the coronavirus pandemic, many people used music streaming to reduce anxiety, stress or depression. Live video streams of concerts gained in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic as they created a stronger sense of community and counteracted loneliness.
Algorithmic playlists enable access to music based on mood and personal preferences. Sensors and remote services can be used to collect data from the environment to generate context-based playlists. The analysis of well-being, preferences and context-based data is increasingly based on AI. However, not all users are aware of the use of AI on music platforms, and it presents various challenges.
Extensive listening can exacerbate a negative state of mind. Malfunctions or unexpected behaviour of the technology can also have a negative impact on well-being and mental health. Users have also reported a risk of addiction.
The findings of studies on the effects of music streaming on mental health during the coronavirus pandemic offer a field of research. The question arises as to how the findings can be used in music therapy to develop digital treatment methods. One research question could specifically examine the use of playlists in music therapy. Another research question could examine the applicability of the musical experiences of music listeners to other crises. Furthermore, the conditions for experiencing a state of flow while streaming could be investigated.
Further research is needed to examine the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic on music consumption and its possible consequences not only on individual health but also in a societal context. One research question could be how culture and music consumption behaviour has changed after the coronavirus pandemic. These findings can also serve as a starting point for the cultural and music industry to create new and interesting cultural and music offerings in both the offline and online worlds.
Thanks to Dr. Florian Perst of studium unplugged for scientific support on how to write a literature analysis. The term paper has been graded with 100/100.