Abstract
<p>Musical reward is a multidimensional construct, extensively studied in adults using the Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire (BMRQ) and its extended version (eBMRQ). However, no validated tool currently allows children to report their own musical reward experience directly, rather than through parental proxy. We developed the eBMRQc, a child-directed adaptation of the eBMRQ comprising six items, one per subscale (Social Reward, Musical Seeking, Emotional Evocation, Mood Regulation, Sensory-Motor, Musical Absorption). In Experiment 1, 98 adults completed the adult and child versions, revealing significant correlations between corresponding total scores and subscales, as well as similar relationships with musical and dance training. In Experiment 2, 140 children (mean age 8.5 years) completed the eBMRQc using a child-adapted visual response scale, and performed a beat-alignment task. Children understood the questions, and showed variability across subscales. eBMRQc scores were unrelated to beat-alignment performance, suggesting that links between musical reward and rhythmic ability may depend on additional factors. Findings show feasibility and conceptual validity of the eBMRQc as a self-report questionnaire of musical reward in elementary school-aged children. The eBMRQc may also be used as a brief assessment tool for adults and open new avenues for studying musical reward development and its relationships with individual differences.</p>