Music in later life: Musical leisure,perceived benefits,and life satisfaction among older Koreans

Abstract

As populations age globally, there is increasing recognition of the need for accessible and effective interventions to support well-being among older adults. This study explores the status of musical leisure activities, their perceived benefits, and their association with life satisfaction among community-dwelling older adults in South Korea. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 117 older adults (aged 65 years or above) recruited from community institutions in Seoul. The survey included items on sociodemographic characteristics, engagement in music-related leisure activities (such as singing and listening to music), perceived benefits of these activities, and life satisfaction as measured by the Life Satisfaction Scale for the Elderly (LSSE). Results revealed that the majority of participants engaged in music-related leisure activities, with singing and listening to music being the most popular forms. Older women participated more frequently in music activities, and their primary motivations were emotional relaxation and social interaction. The benefits of music activities were diverse, spanning personal, relational, and psychosocial domains. A positive correlation between musical benefits and life satisfaction revealed that music participation in older age contributes to life satisfaction, with emotional benefits being the strongest predictor of this benefit. Together, these findings highlight the role of music participation in supporting well-being in later life. Music-related leisure activities appear to function as a culturally meaningful and accessible resource for older adults in South Korea and point to the need for inclusive and culturally responsive programs that reflect the characteristics and needs of this population.