Exploring the nature of music engagement and its relation to personality among young adults.

This study examined the relationship between music preferences (MP), listening styles (LS), functions of music (FoM), perceivedrasa(music) and personality traits (PT – Big Five Factors). A sample of 77 young adults (M = 39;F = 38;M = 22.7 years) completed measures of the above constructs and data were analysed via correlations, one-way ANOVA,post hoctests, andT-tests. Significant correlations were found between LS and PT; MP and PT; FoM and PT; FoM and emotion; and LS and FoM. Findings indicated stronger preferences for genres namely Romantic songs, Soft songs and Filmy (Sad) songs. Gender difference existed in terms of MP, perceived emotions and LS. Music listening mainly served as a ‘source of pleasure and enjoyment’ and which ‘calms, motivates, or reminds of past events’. Musical genres inducingsantoṣa rasawere perceived significantly higher in female participants. Based on the findings, a ‘music engagement model for Young Adults’ describing their music behaviour, have been proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]