A recent study conducted by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and the Dantz cultural projects laboratory has revealed a positive correlation between a preference for electronic music and psychological well-being. The research, known as “Sound Minds,” involved 222 participants who completed a questionnaire measuring their connection to electronic music, identity, self-esteem, motivation for musical activities, values, and psychological well-being.
The results showed that electronic music is associated with positive emotions such as happiness, transcendence, tenderness, nostalgia, tranquility, energy, and joy. The study also found that individuals who enjoy electronic music tend to experience the absence of negative emotions and engage in musical activities for the sake of fun and enjoyment.
Additionally, the study highlighted the historical stigmatization of electronic music, particularly during the peak of club culture in the Basque Country in the late 90s and early 2000s. Despite this, the researchers emphasized that electronic music has always been a space of diversity, freedom, and equality, contrary to the notion of depoliticization and ideological emptiness.
These findings suggest that a love for electronic music can be a source of psychological well-being and positive emotions, debunking any stereotypes or misconceptions surrounding the genre. The study was presented at the Dantz Festival 2023 in San Sebastián and has shed light on the important role that music plays in mental health and overall well-being.