254. Exploration of the promoting effect of opera choral training on group belonging and mental health in practice
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background Opera choir training, as a collective artistic activity, has the potential to play a positive role in enhancing participants' sense of belonging and mental health. However, its specific effects and mechanisms of action still lack systematic evaluation. Research has shown that group music activities can enhance social connections and alleviate emotional stress. However, further empirical exploration is needed regarding the quantitative impact of long-term opera choir training on mental health indicators, particularly in promoting a sense of belonging, emotional regulation, and life satisfaction. The study quantitatively evaluated the intervention effect of long-term opera choir training on participants' sense of belonging, depression anxiety stress emotional state, and life satisfaction through a 12-month practical analysis. To explore the promoting effect of opera choir training on the sense of belonging and mental health of the adult population. Methods Recruit 260 adult volunteers in the community, including 130 in the experimental group (participating in opera choir training) and 130 in the control group (not participating in systematic collective art activities). All participants completed baseline psychological assessments, including the Group Belonging Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), and Life Satisfaction Scale. The experimental group received 90 minute opera choir training twice a week, including vocal techniques, multi voice choir rehearsals, and stage performance integration. At the 12th month of intervention, both groups completed the same psychological assessment again. Compare the changing trends of two groups on various indicators through repeated measures analysis of variance, and use regression models to test the mediating effect of sense of belonging. Results As shown in Fig. 1, after 12 months of intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvements in group belonging (p<.001, t = 6.62) and life satisfaction (p<.001, t = 7.23) compared to baseline, and depression scores significantly decreased (p<.001, t = 8.96); This indicates that structured choir training has a positive effect on alleviating depression related emotional distress. The control group that did not participate in any collective art intervention showed no statistically significant changes in group belonging, life satisfaction, and depression scores during the 12-month follow-up period (p-values>0.05), further verifying the specific intervention effect of opera choir training in improving the target outcome indicators. Discussion Long term and structured opera choir training can not only significantly enhance participants' sense of belonging to the group, but also effectively promote positive improvements in multiple core psychological health indicators such as emotional regulation ability optimization, relief of depression and anxiety symptoms, and improvement of life satisfaction. Its effect is comparable to previous research reports on the impact of collective music intervention on social function and emotional health. Further mechanism analysis indicates that group belonging is a potential key mediating pathway for the psychological promotion effect of opera choir training, which can effectively predict the improvement of participants' emotional regulation and life satisfaction. Based on existing findings, future research will further explore the optimal duration and frequency of training courses, and extend follow-up periods to assess long-term sustainability.
Source: Schizophrenia Bulletin
Author: Wenhui Ye
Institution: Wenzhou University
Language: English
Topic: Music Therapy and Health
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7128791423
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