The role of music in young adults' spiritual development. Issue 2 (3rd April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murtonen, Sari
• Is Part Of: International journal of children's spirituality. Volume 23:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 209
• Page End: 223
• Publication Date: 2018-04-03
• Subjects: Spirituality -- spiritual well-being -- young adults -- music; Moral education -- Periodicals; Religious education -- Periodicals; Spirituality -- Periodicals; Children -- Religious life -- Periodicals; 155.25
• DOI: 10.1080/1364436X.2018.1449737
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-436X

Abstract

Abstract: This article focuses on the role of spiritual music in Finnish young adults' spirituality formation. The research data consist of interviews (2013, N = 10) and questionnaire answers (2011, N = 278). Spiritual music refers to music that the young adults themselves experienced supportive for their spirituality. The article indicates that the spiritual music enhanced young adults' spirituality formation as the music was well related to the young adults' current life questions and to experiences of early life span. According to the data, music offered tools for constructing personal world view and was experienced to strengthen confidence on higher power or life itself. As a mental resource, music had an important role in coping with life. As entertainment, spiritual music enhanced experiencing life as satisfying. As a part of public spiritual life, music advanced spiritual connection with other people. The role of spiritual music in spirituality formation was related to questions of spiritual well-being.