Changing music listening habits to support wellbeing by Kat McFerran by University of Melbourne

Creativity and Wellbeing Hallmark Research Institute (CAWRI) Webinar Presentation 1-2b. Kat McFerran speaks about changing music listening habits to support wellbeing.

Many young people rely on music to support their wellbeing, including university students. Prior research has identified that this strategy is not successful for all people, and particularly for those who are inclined to ruminate. A recent investigation has once again highlighted the tendency for more unhappy people to persist with unhelpful music listening habits, rather than adjust them, compared to those who are stressed, but happy, satisfied and with high life satisfaction. This interesting finding suggests that the search for the most helpful approach to distressed young people needs further investigation, and one strategy developed through our research was to create a series of VLOGs, produced by young people, as another approach for raising awareness and increasing motivation to adjust unhelpful music listening habits.

Dr Katrina Skewes McFerran is Professor and Head of the Creative Arts Therapy program at the university of Melbourne. She is a qualified music therapist who specializes in work with young people and has published 4 books, more than 100 research articles, a TEDX talk on returning from the Dark Side with music, and a free access MOOC on How Music Can Change Your Life with Coursera.