Group Singing vs. Individual Singing in Healthy Aging: Changes in Mood, Oxytocin, and Cortisol

RESEARCH TEAM

Arla Good, PhD • Frank A. Russo, PhD | Toronto Metropolitan University

BACKGROUND

Group singing elevates mood, increases social bonding, and regulates stress. However, the question remains as to how much of the singer’s mood-boost is derived from social aspects of group singing and how much can be achieved through singing alone.

METHODS

In the current study, we adopted a sociobiological approach to investigate the underpinnings of the singing related mood-boost. Using a within-subjects design, self-report mood, salivary oxytocin, and salivary cortisol were assessed following group and individual singing conditions.

RESULTS

This study uncovered several important findings: group singing elevated mood, whereas individual singing did not. Importantly, although both group and individual singing led to decreases in cortisol, only group singing led to increases in oxytocin. Further analysis revealed that oxytocin, but not cortisol, significantly correlated with mood. These findings suggest that the mood-boosting effect of singing is likely due to social aspects and is influenced by changes in oxytocin.

KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION

Publication :

Good, A. & Russo, F. A. (2022). Changes in mood, oxytocin, and cortisol following group and individual singing: A pilot study. Psychology of Music, 50(4), 1340-1347

Conference:

Good, A., Copelli, F., Pachete, A., & Russo, F. A. (2019, November). Group singing, but not private singing, elevates mood and increases oxytocin in older adults. Poster at Neuromusic Conference. McMaster Institute for Music and the Mind, Hamilton, ON.