Abstract
<p>Music is a powerful tool for well-being; however, recent research suggests some music-listening behaviours can be maladaptive. Maladaptive music listening (MML) is proposed to be harmful to those engaging in it, but the literature is inconsistent with respect to how MML is defined and measured. We conducted two studies to clarify these issues. Study 1 comprised a systematic PRISMA literature review, with two thematic analyses on definitions and measures of MML. We searched JSTOR, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and ProQuest for original peer-reviewed articles published after 2000; eighteen articles were included in the final analysis. Our thematic analysis on MML definitions identified one major theme, "poor psychological health,” which contained sub-themes “adolescence/youth,” “externalizing problems,” “internalizing problems,” and “inefficient coping.” Measures of MML commonly assessed “interactions with music,” “music preferences,” and “engagement strategies.” Given the association between personality traits and some of the identified themes, Study 2 aimed to meta-analyze their relationship. The original search was conducted with additional terms related to Big Five personality traits. Four articles, comprising 2,225 participants, were included in the final analysis, which examined the relationship between neuroticism and MML, given a lack of articles examining other personality traits. We found a significant moderate pooled effect size between neuroticism and MML (Fisher's Z value of 0.21 [0.16–0.25]) and no evidence of publication bias. Overall, this work clarifies the existing definitions, measures, and findings on MML to guide future research, increase construct validity, and help predict or prevent MML in vulnerable individuals.</p>