The Effects of Sad Music: Moderating Role of Cognitive Reappraisal

Seemingly paradoxically, sad music has exhibited potential in improving mood in individuals, as well as being detrimental to mood and indicative of maladaptive behaviours concerning emotion regulation. Research suggests that different adaptive and maladaptive behaviours underlie sad music listening. Therefore, we explored if cognitive reappraisal (CR) was an effective tool for promoting mood enhancement. CR is a cognitive skill that focuses on the reframing and re-evaluation of negative events in a positive way. Across two studies, the combined effect of sad music and CR, in conjunction with events having a neutral or sad effect on mood, was explored. Data analyses revealed that CR significantly enhanced mood notably more than the control task. A three-way interaction effect revealed that higher levels of depression symptoms were associated with worse mood regulation across all but one condition; only happy music with the control task was associated with an increase in mood regulation for individuals with higher levels of depression. Therefore, CR was shown to be effective in improving one’s mood, though mood regulation typically decreased as depression symptoms increased. The discussion covered how these results fit into the existing literature and the relevant theoretical implications, with the most pronounced finding being that CR remained effect whether in the presence of happy or sad music.