Page 141 - Glasbenopedagoški zbornik Akademije za glasbo, letnik 20, zvezek 40 ◆ The Journal of Music Education of the Academy of Music in Ljubljana, volume 20, issue 40

memory, attention, and a greater sense of competence. These cognitive enhan-
cements illustrate how engaging in choir activities can stimulate mental pro-
cesses and contribute to cognitive wellbeing in individuals. Five studies (n = 5)
examined physical wellbeing, identifying benefits such as controlled breathing,
improved posture, lung function, heart health, mobility, respiratory and vocal
health, physical fitness, and generally feeling more energized and active, as well
as positive effects on the immune system.
The differentiation between studies focusing on adolescents and adults re-
vealed nuanced differences. For studies including mainly adolescents (n = 4),
choral singing was associated with significant physical improvements: better
posture, controlled breathing and overall fitness, which were not prominent in
adults’ experiences. Cognitive benefits for adolescents were evident in enhan-
ced musical skills, and focused attention, while these aspects were less emp-
hasized in studies including adults. Adolescents reported that choral singing
fosters a sense of identity, strengthens friendships and emphasizes teamwork.
They have also experienced a unique sense of connectedness, spiritual growth,
and a therapeutic and uplifting effect, indicating spiritual benefits from cho- Jovana Milošević ◆ CHORAL SINGING AS A MEANS OF INCREASING WELLBEING IN YOUTH AND ADULTS: PRISMA REVIEW
ral singing. In studies including mainly adults (n = 8), participants experien-
ced primarily emotional wellbeing such as reduced anxiety, stress relief, and
enhanced mood, indicating a greater emphasis on emotional regulation and
stress management in this demographic. While both adults and adolescents
report increased social support and a sense of community, adolescents may
focus more on the formation of social identity and friendships, while adults
may prioritize maintaining existing social connections. Overall, both age gro-
ups derive many significant benefits from choral singing, but there are specific
outcomes reflecting the unique developmental stage and life contexts of ado-
lescents and adults.
In three studies (n = 3), researchers used comparison groups in order to
explore the benefits of choir participation compared to other leisure and gro-
up activities. The first study (Londsday & Day, 2020) involved six compari-
son groups: choir and solo singers, orchestra/band members, solo musicians,
team sports players, and individual sports players. They wanted to explore
whether the psychological wellbeing is unique to choirs, in comparison to the
other mentioned activities. Results did not show any significant differences in
psychological wellbeing between groups. However, distinct differences were
observed in autonomy and relatedness between groups, with choir singers and
team sports players reporting higher levels of relatedness compared to solo mu-
sicians and individual sport players. It suggests that the psychological bene-
fits of choral singing may be explained through the social and interpersonal
dynamics of the activity, rather than its musical nature or individual aspects.
This study emphasized that group activities (such as choir singing) foster social
connectedness in participants. All groups demonstrated a similar level of com-
petence, suggesting that any group activity that promotes mastery can positi-

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