Empirical studies from around the world suggest the effects of music-making on the well-being of older adults. However, literature on how and why it works is scarce. This convergent mixed-methods study aimed to examine the relationships among music engagement, meaning in life, and the subjective well-being of Thai older adults involved in music-making.

For the qualitative study, eight individuals aged 60-82 years, both musicians and non-musicians, participated in face-to-face or online interviews due to COVID-19. The interview questions explored their experiences with music activities, the meaning of music in their lives, and music contribution to their subjective well-being. Descriptive phenomenological analysis revealed four main themes: (1) Music-making and self-identity, (2) Music-making as a bridge for building up relationships, (3) Music-making and flourishing mental health, and (4) The role of music in personal growth and the meaning of life among the elderly.

Concurrently, a survey for the quantitative study was conducted with 253 participants (age range 60-112, M = 65.75, SD = 5.89, 54.94% female). The survey items included (a) Music Engagement Questionnaire, consisting of 32 items (α = .96) with 6 subscales: music in daily life, emotional listening experience, musical performativity, musical consumer behavior, responsive music listening, and music preference, (b) Meaning in Life Questionnaire, consisting of 10 items (α = .79) with 2 subscales: Presence of Meaning in Life, and Search for Meaning in Life), and (c) Subjective Well-being Scale, consisting of 25 items (α = .93) with 2 subscales: Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Positive and Negative Scale. Data were collected online and paper-based through music communities, events and community gathering places such as weekend schools, and nursing homes. Linear structural equation model analysis was used to test the mediation effect of meaning in life on the relationship between music engagement and well-being. The results revealed that the adjusted model fits well with the empirical data (Chi-square = 19.76, df = 13, p = .10, CFI = 0.995, GFI = 0.986, and RMSEA = 0.045), which music engagement and meaning in life collectively explained 54.7 percent of the variance in subjective well-being.

The integration of these two studies demonstrates the power of music in the lives of elderly individuals engaged in musical activities. Both quantitative and qualitative research showed that involvement in music enhances their subjective well-being by improving mood and reducing negative emotions. Additionally, musical activities such as playing instruments and singing provided a sense of meaning, and increasing well-being. Implications from this study suggest needs to increase music engagement and meaningful music activities to promote well-being of older adults.