A systematic review suggests passive music listening may support emotional and social well-being in later life.

Music was linked to better mood. Anxiety also appeared lower. Loneliness may ease in shared listening settings.

Quick summary

• What the study found: In The impact of music listening on well-being in older adults: a systematic review, reviewers found 13 eligible studies of adults aged 60 and older. Music listening was consistently associated with improved mood, better emotional regulation, and lower anxiety.
• Why it matters: Passive listening is familiar, low-cost, and easy to fit into ordinary routines. For older adults, it may offer a practical way to support well-being during stress, illness, or isolation.
• What to be careful about: The review included varied designs and measures. Some evidence is associative, so music should be seen as support for well-being, not a proven treatment.

Music listening was tied to better mood in later life

This systematic review searched Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO/CINAHL through September 1, 2025. It included published studies of adults aged 60 or older from the general population.

The final review included 13 studies from Canada, China, Northern Ireland, Sweden, Australia, the United States, Thailand, and Hong Kong. Sample sizes ranged from 8 to 1,024 participants.

Across those studies, passive music listening was linked with better mood, improved emotional regulation, and lower anxiety. These associations were especially noted during stress, illness, and social isolation.

The likely value is emotional regulation, not a stand-alone solution

Emotional regulation means managing feelings without being overwhelmed by them. Music may help by giving people a familiar cue for calming down, shifting attention, or reconnecting with memories.

That does not mean music replaces care, social support, or clinical help when needed. The review supports music listening as a possible well-being tool, not as treatment for anxiety or illness.

Shared listening may matter when loneliness is high

The review suggests group or community listening may add social value. Listening with others may reduce feelings of loneliness more than listening alone, although the evidence was not strong enough to prove that.

In everyday terms, this could include a shared playlist, a community music session, or listening with family. The paper did not test one best format, so flexibility matters.

A safe way to think about using music

The safest takeaway is modest. If music feels pleasant, meaningful, or calming, it may be worth making room for it in daily life, especially in later adulthood.

Choice likely matters in real life. The review included both self-selected music and pre-selected music, but it does not establish which is better for which person.

For some people, certain songs can bring sadness or painful memories. That does not make music harmful overall, but it means personal preference and emotional response should guide use.

The evidence is promising but still uneven

The review is stronger than a single study because it gathered multiple designs, including randomized trials, quasi-experiments, observational studies, cohorts, and qualitative work. Still, only 13 studies met the criteria.

The authors also note the need for more rigorous studies with standardized well-being outcomes. That would help clarify when music listening has causal effects and who benefits most.

For now, the message is practical and cautious. Music listening appears to be a simple, scalable support for well-being in older adults, especially for mood and connection.