Personality Traits of Choral Singers and Their Association with Perceived Mental Well-Being

Previous research indicates that choir singing enhances mental well-being. This study explores whether these well-being benefits are related to the personality traits of singers. We assessed the personality traits of 760 German amateur choral singers (205 men, 555 women, mean age 47.1 ± 14.0 years)...

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Main Authors: Sibylle Robens, Alexandra Monstadt, Alexander Hagen, Thomas Ostermann
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Behavioral Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/5/570
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author Sibylle Robens
Alexandra Monstadt
Alexander Hagen
Thomas Ostermann
author_facet Sibylle Robens
Alexandra Monstadt
Alexander Hagen
Thomas Ostermann
author_sort Sibylle Robens
collection DOAJ
description Previous research indicates that choir singing enhances mental well-being. This study explores whether these well-being benefits are related to the personality traits of singers. We assessed the personality traits of 760 German amateur choral singers (205 men, 555 women, mean age 47.1 ± 14.0 years) using a 30-item version of the NEO–Five–Factor Inventory and compared them with a representative population sample. General mental well-being was measured with the WHO-5 well-being index, and perceived mental health benefits from singing were evaluated using the Bochum Change Questionnaire (BCQ-2000). Regression analyses examined the relationship between personality traits, BCQ-2000, and WHO-5 well-being scores. Choral singers scored significantly higher than the general population on extraversion, openness to experience, and agreeableness. The WHO-5 scores of choir singers were significantly positively correlated with extraversion and conscientiousness, and negatively with neuroticism. BCQ-2000 scores were significantly positively associated with extraversion, openness, and agreeableness. In this exploratory study, we examined the association between personality traits and singing-related mental well-being without accounting for other potential sociodemographic confounders of mental health, such as socioeconomic status. The study suggests that the self-reported mental well-being benefits of singing are influenced by individual personality traits.
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spelling doaj-art-58ed83f3d62a45f5bddfa65f017a58482025-08-20T01:56:25ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2025-04-0115557010.3390/bs15050570Personality Traits of Choral Singers and Their Association with Perceived Mental Well-BeingSibylle Robens0Alexandra Monstadt1Alexander Hagen2Thomas Ostermann3Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, University Witten/Herdecke, 58455 Witten, GermanyDepartment of Psychology and Psychotherapy, University Witten/Herdecke, 58455 Witten, GermanyDepartment of Psychology and Psychotherapy, University Witten/Herdecke, 58455 Witten, GermanyDepartment of Psychology and Psychotherapy, University Witten/Herdecke, 58455 Witten, GermanyPrevious research indicates that choir singing enhances mental well-being. This study explores whether these well-being benefits are related to the personality traits of singers. We assessed the personality traits of 760 German amateur choral singers (205 men, 555 women, mean age 47.1 ± 14.0 years) using a 30-item version of the NEO–Five–Factor Inventory and compared them with a representative population sample. General mental well-being was measured with the WHO-5 well-being index, and perceived mental health benefits from singing were evaluated using the Bochum Change Questionnaire (BCQ-2000). Regression analyses examined the relationship between personality traits, BCQ-2000, and WHO-5 well-being scores. Choral singers scored significantly higher than the general population on extraversion, openness to experience, and agreeableness. The WHO-5 scores of choir singers were significantly positively correlated with extraversion and conscientiousness, and negatively with neuroticism. BCQ-2000 scores were significantly positively associated with extraversion, openness, and agreeableness. In this exploratory study, we examined the association between personality traits and singing-related mental well-being without accounting for other potential sociodemographic confounders of mental health, such as socioeconomic status. The study suggests that the self-reported mental well-being benefits of singing are influenced by individual personality traits.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/5/570choir singingBig Fivepersonality traitsmental healthpsychological well-being
spellingShingle Sibylle Robens
Alexandra Monstadt
Alexander Hagen
Thomas Ostermann
Personality Traits of Choral Singers and Their Association with Perceived Mental Well-Being
Behavioral Sciences
choir singing
Big Five
personality traits
mental health
psychological well-being
title Personality Traits of Choral Singers and Their Association with Perceived Mental Well-Being
title_full Personality Traits of Choral Singers and Their Association with Perceived Mental Well-Being
title_fullStr Personality Traits of Choral Singers and Their Association with Perceived Mental Well-Being
title_full_unstemmed Personality Traits of Choral Singers and Their Association with Perceived Mental Well-Being
title_short Personality Traits of Choral Singers and Their Association with Perceived Mental Well-Being
title_sort personality traits of choral singers and their association with perceived mental well being
topic choir singing
Big Five
personality traits
mental health
psychological well-being
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/5/570
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