Music Preferences as Moderators of Stress and Emotion Regulation among Young Adults

Abstract

This study examined whether music preferences moderate the relationship between perceived stress and emotion regulation among young adults. A cross-sectional sample of 308 young adults aged 18–25 years completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and Short Test of Music Preferences (STOMP). Results indicated that perceived stress was positively associated with both cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. Music preferences significantly moderated the relationship between perceived stress and cognitive reappraisal across all four music dimensions, with Energetic and Rhythmic preference showing the strongest effect. For expressive suppression, only Upbeat and Conventional preference demonstrated a significant moderation effect. Findings suggest that stable music preferences may function as dispositional factors shaping emotional regulation under stress. The study highlights the relevance of individual differences in musical orientation for understanding coping and emotional functioning among young adults.