Exploring elements of well-being among members taking part in a community musical project

Abstract

The link between music and well-being has been widely studied by researchers. However, the impact of short-term involvement in community music on well-being has not been sufficiently examined. This research aimed to explore the elements of well-being among participants in a community musical project, the Whoop Up. The PERMA model was used as a theoretical framework, providing a lens through which to better understand experiences of well-being. A qualitative approach was followed using a case-study design. Participants included 30 adults of the community musical, which took place at a private boys’ school in Pretoria, South Africa. Data was collected in two phases. Phase 1 consisted of a qualitative questionnaire with open-ended questions, designed to probe elements of the PERMA model. The open-ended responses provided the researcher with an overview of the participants’ well-being experiences, and guided the interview schedule used in the next phase. Phase 2 consisted of semi-structured face-to-face interviews designed to encourage participants to reflect on their subjective experiences of well-being related to the elements of the PERMA model: positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. The results strongly reveal that participants of the Whoop Up experienced all the elements of well-being related to the PERMA model. Positive emotions experienced during participation included fun, enjoyment, feelings of exhilaration, and euphoria. Engagement was reflected in commitment and freedom and ease of participation. Experiences of flow and a sense of loss at the conclusion of the production indicated that participants were deeply engaged. Meaningful engagement led to a desire for continued involvement in the performing arts. Relationships were widely impacted. Interaction with the community, peers and family members were positively affected through participation. Meaning was the most prominent element of PERMA. Individuals experienced a sense of meaning relating to self, the impact of the Whoop Up on the greater community, and the opportunity for expression in performance. Accomplishment was experienced through personal investment and performances. The results of this study show that elements of the PERMA model related to hedonia and eudaimonia are more profoundly linked than expected. The study found that positive emotion, an element of hedonia, strongly overlaps with engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishment and cannot be seen in isolation. The study contributes to our understanding of the relationship between hedonia and eudaimonia and the subsequent value of community music.