Effect of music therapy on emotional resilience, well-being, and employability: a quantitative investigation of mediation and moderation

Abstract

This study explores the impact of music therapy on emotional resilience, well-being, and employability. Through an 8-week music therapy intervention involving 256 participants, the results demonstrated that music therapy significantly enhanced participants’ emotional resilience, which in turn improved their well-being and employability. A significant positive correlation was found between emotional resilience, well-being, and employability, with well-being mediating the relationship between emotional resilience and employability. Additionally, the study identified moderating effects of age and education level, revealing that younger individuals and those with higher education levels benefit more from emotional resilience in terms of well-being and employability. These findings suggest that music therapy is an effective intervention for enhancing emotional resilience and career development, with well-being playing a crucial role in this process. Future research should continue to investigate the long-term benefits of music therapy, explore its effects across diverse populations, and incorporate objective measures and longitudinal designs to validate and expand upon these findings.

Introduction

Music therapy

Music therapy (MT) is a clinical, evidence-based practice involving music interventions by a qualified professional to achieve therapeutic goals within a structured relationship [3]. The therapy consists of a variety of techniques, including active music-making, music listening, and music improvisation, to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. The effectiveness of music therapy lies in its ability to harness the therapeutic potential of music to improve overall well-being and support holistic care.

The general effectiveness of music therapy is well-supported by research. It has been shown to enhance emotional regulation, reduce stress, and improve psychological resilience. For example, Bradt and Dileo [6] conducted a meta-analysis on the impact of music interventions in clinical settings, particularly for patients undergoing surgery. They found that music therapy significantly reduced anxiety and pain, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving patient comfort and well-being during medical procedures.

The use of music therapy in physical rehabilitation is also well-documented. Magee et al. [33] reviewed studies on stroke rehabilitation and found that rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS), a music therapy technique, helped improve motor function and gait, underscoring the therapeutic role of music in physical recovery and enhancing independence in individuals with movement disorders.

In the area of mental health, music therapy has been widely recognized for its role in improving emotional regulation and promoting social interaction. Cassola et al. [7] reported that music therapy led to significant improvements in emotional well-being for patients with severe mental illnesses, while Mössler et al. [34] found it to be effective in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety in individuals with psychosis. These findings emphasize music therapy’s value as an intervention for improving psychological health.

Moreover, music therapy is increasingly applied in cognitive health, particularly for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. A study by Gallego and Garcia [23] demonstrated the positive effects of music therapy on memory recall and communication skills in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. This highlights its potential to support cognitive functioning, especially in older populations, and improve their quality of life.

Additionally, music therapy has broader applications in promoting social cohesion and emotional well-being. Fancourt and Finn [16] reviewed community-based music therapy programs and found that group music-making activities fostered social connections, reduced isolation, and improved overall well-being, particularly in marginalized communities.

In summary, music therapy is a versatile and evidence-based therapeutic approach, effective across a wide range of domains including emotional, cognitive, and physical health. Recent research consistently supports its ability to reduce anxiety and pain, improve mental health, enhance cognitive function, and facilitate physical rehabilitation. As an interdisciplinary field, music therapy continues to evolve, offering promising interventions for a variety of needs and populations.

Emotional resilience

Emotional resilience (ER) is defined as an individual’s ability to adapt to stress and adversity, and it is a critical component of mental health [5]. In recent years, researchers have extensively explored the roles of internal resources (such as positive emotions and self-efficacy) and external resources (such as social support) in maintaining and restoring mental health [27, 29].

The role of positive emotions in enhancing emotional resilience has garnered significant attention. Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory posits that positive emotions expand an individual’s thought-action repertoire, thereby fostering the development of enduring personal resources [19]. Empirical studies support this theory, demonstrating that positive emotions can buffer against stress and improve coping mechanisms [44]. Moreover, self-efficacy, defined as an individual’s belief in their ability to achieve desired outcomes, is considered a crucial predictor of emotional resilience. A meta-analysis by Schwarzer and Warner [41] confirmed that higher levels of self-efficacy are associated with better stress management and recovery from adversity.

Social support also plays a pivotal role in promoting emotional resilience. Social relationships provide emotional, informational, and practical support, which can mitigate the effects of stress [8]. Recent research indicates that individuals with robust social networks are more likely to exhibit resilient behaviours and maintain mental health during challenging times [36].

Music therapy has gained widespread attention as a promising intervention for enhancing emotional resilience. Research shows that music therapy can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while fostering emotional expression and social connection. For example, a study by Fancourt and Perkins [17] found that group singing improved participants’ social connections and mental health, suggesting that music therapy can bolster the internal and external resources necessary for emotional resilience. Similarly, a study by Vasionytė and Madison [46] reviewed the impact of music interventions on patients with dementia, reporting significant improvements in emotional regulation, cognitive functioning, and quality of life. These findings indicate that music therapy not only provides a medium for emotional expression but also helps build self-efficacy and social support, thereby enhancing resilience.

In summary, emotional resilience is a multifaceted construct supported by both internal and external resources. Recent literature underscores the importance of positive emotions, self-efficacy, and social support in fostering resilience. Music therapy, by strengthening these resources, emerges as a valuable intervention for promoting emotional resilience.

Well-being

Well-being (WB) typically encompasses both subjective well-being and psychological well-being, forming a multidimensional construct that is crucial to an individual’s overall health. Subjective well-being includes life satisfaction and emotional balance, while psychological well-being involves aspects such as self-acceptance, personal growth, and a sense of purpose in life [39]. Theoretically, well-being is an important outcome of emotional resilience, as individuals with greater adaptability are more likely to experience positive emotions and higher life satisfaction [43].

Recent research has provided extensive insights into the components and determinants of well-being. Subjective well-being is typically measured through life satisfaction and the balance between positive and negative emotions, and it is closely related to daily experiences and broader life contexts. A meta-analysis by Diener et al. [15] found that positive social relationships, physical health, and a supportive environment significantly enhance levels of subjective well-being.

On the other hand, psychological well-being addresses deeper aspects of human functioning, such as self-acceptance, autonomy, and environmental mastery. Ryff’s [39] model of psychological well-being outlines six key dimensions: self-acceptance, personal growth, purpose in life, environmental mastery, autonomy, and positive relationships with others. Higher rates of these dimensions are associated with lower rates of psychological disorders and higher levels of life satisfaction and resilience.

Music therapy has garnered widespread attention as a promising intervention for enhancing well-being. Numerous studies have shown that music therapy can improve both subjective and psychological well-being by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, while also promoting emotional expression and social connection [6].

In conclusion, well-being encompasses both subjective and psychological dimensions and serves as a crucial outcome of emotional resilience. Recent literature emphasizes the importance of positive social relationships, health, and a supportive environment in fostering well-being. By enhancing these factors, music therapy emerges as a valuable intervention for promoting well-being.

Employability

Employability (EA) refers to an individual’s ability to obtain and maintain employment, encompassing a range of skills, attributes, and psychological factors necessary for improving job performance and adaptability [20]. Theoretically, well-being is an important predictor of employability, as mental health and positive emotions can enhance an individual’s performance and adaptability in the workplace [25].

Recent studies have highlighted the significance of psychological well-being in enhancing employability. Psychological well-being includes dimensions such as self-acceptance, personal growth, and a sense of purpose in life, and research indicates that these dimensions influence job satisfaction, career success, and adaptability [39]. A meta-analysis by De Cuyper et al. [10] found that employees with higher psychological well-being are more likely to demonstrate resilience, maintain employment, and progress in their careers.

Subjective well-being, which includes life satisfaction and emotional balance, also plays a crucial role in employability. Research shows that individuals with higher levels of life satisfaction and emotional balance tend to exhibit better job performance, lower absenteeism, and greater organizational commitment [28]. For instance, a longitudinal study by Lyubomirsky et al. [32] demonstrated that happier individuals are more likely to achieve employment and career success, as they exhibit more positive behaviours, higher creativity, and better social skills.

Music therapy significantly impacts employability by enhancing individuals’ subjective well-being. Research indicates that music therapy can improve life satisfaction and emotional balance, thereby increasing work performance and career success [30]. For instance, music therapy helps regulate emotions, reduce stress, and promote psychological relaxation, leading individuals to maintain a positive mindset and good emotional balance [9]. Consequently, participants demonstrate higher efficiency and creativity at work, reduced absenteeism, and greater organizational commitment. Thus, music therapy not only enhances subjective well-being but also supports career development, contributing to greater success and satisfaction in the workplace [10].

In conclusion, employability, defined as the ability to obtain and maintain employment, is significantly influenced by well-being. Recent literature emphasizes the importance of both psychological and subjective well-being in improving job performance and adaptability. By enhancing emotional and psychological well-being, music therapy emerges as a valuable intervention for promoting employability.

Differences by gender, age, and education level

In contemporary society, emotional resilience, well-being, and employability are critical factors for individual psychological well-being and career success. Although the interplay between these factors has been studied to some extent, the moderating effects of demographic variables such as gender, age, and educational level on these relationships have not been thoroughly explored. Investigating these moderating factors can provide a more precise understanding and optimization of the relationships among emotional resilience, well-being, and employability.

Firstly, there is empirical support for the moderating effect of gender on psychological interventions. Research indicates that gender differences may influence the relationship between emotional resilience, well-being, and employability. For example, Ullibarriarana-Garate et al. [45] found that men and women may experience and benefit from well-being interventions differently, potentially affecting their employability outcomes. This suggests that the role of gender as a moderating variable warrants further investigation to understand its specific impact on the mediation model involving emotional resilience, well-being, and employability.

Secondly, age is another crucial factor affecting these psychological relationships. Research shows that individuals at different life stages may perceive and respond to emotional resilience and well-being interventions differently. For example, younger individuals often exhibit greater psychological flexibility and better career decision-making abilities following emotional management training, whereas these effects may be less pronounced in older adults [14]. Exploring the moderating role of age in the relationships among emotional resilience, well-being, and employability can enhance our understanding of these factors mechanisms across different age groups.

Lastly, educational level (EL) is a key variable influencing these psychological relationships. Di Fabio and Cumbo [11] noted that individuals with higher levels of education generally demonstrate greater adaptability and resilience in career management and employability. Additionally, the mediating role of well-being in the relationship between emotional resilience and employability may be moderated by gender, age, and educational level. For example, individuals with higher educational attainment might perceive and utilize well-being differently in enhancing emotional resilience, thus affecting its impact on employability [12, 13]. These moderating effects provide important perspectives for understanding the relationships among emotional resilience, well-being, and employability.

By investigating the moderating effects of gender, age, and educational level on these psychological relationships, we can offer valuable insights for personalized psychological interventions and career development strategies, thereby improving their overall effectiveness and applicability.

Research hypotheses

This study aims to investigate the impact of music therapy on emotional resilience and explore the collaborative effects of emotional resilience and well-being on employability. We involve individuals who have undergone music therapy and construct a mediation model to explore the role of well-being as a mediator between emotional resilience and employability (see Fig. 1). Based on this, we propose the following hypotheses:

Fig. 1

Research model

Experimental effect hypotheses

Participants who receive music therapy will show significant improvements in emotional resilience, well-being, and employability.

• H1a: Participants who receive music therapy will exhibit a significant improvement in emotional resilience scores, indicating a notable difference between pre- and post-therapy emotional resilience scores.

• H1b: Participants who receive music therapy will demonstrate a significant increase in well-being scores, indicating a notable difference between pre- and post-therapy well-being scores.

• H1c: Participants who receive music therapy will experience a significant enhancement in employability scores, indicating a notable difference between pre- and post-therapy employability scores.

Mediation effect hypothesis

Well-being mediates the relationship between emotional resilience and employability, such that music therapy indirectly affects emotional resilience by enhancing well-being, which in turn improves employability.

• H2: Well-being mediates the relationship between emotional resilience and employability. Specifically, music therapy improves well-being, which indirectly enhances emotional resilience, leading to increased employability.

Moderation effect hypotheses

Gender, age, and educational level moderate the mediation effect of well-being.

• H3a: Gender moderates the mediation effect of well-being on the relationship between emotional resilience and employability, meaning that the mediation effect of well-being varies significantly across different genders.

• H3b: Age moderates the mediation effect of well-being on the relationship between emotional resilience and employability, meaning that the mediation effect of well-being differs significantly among different age groups.

• H3c: Educational level moderates the mediation effect of well-being on the relationship between emotional resilience and employability, meaning that the mediation effect of well-being varies significantly across different educational levels.

Through these hypotheses, this study aims to comprehensively explore the mechanisms by which music therapy affects emotional resilience, well-being, and employability, and analyze how gender, age, and educational level modulate these effects.

Materials and methods

Participants

A total of 256 participants were recruited for this study from various employment training programs. To be eligible, participants had to agree to engage in an 8-week music therapy program and complete all associated measurement questionnaires. Inclusion criteria were as follows: participants had to be between the ages of 18 and 60, currently involved in employment training, job-seeking activities, or on probation at work, and must not have had major auditory impairments or severe psychological disorders.

Measures

Emotional resilience

The Brief Resilience Scale [42] is a unidimensional scale consisting of six items. Due to its simple and easy-to-understand language, it has been widely used across various fields. Half of the items are reverse-scored, with response options ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).

Well-being

To measure well-being, we used the Psychological Well-Being Scale [38]. This scale includes six dimensions: self-acceptance, positive relations with others, personal growth, purpose in life, environmental mastery, and autonomy. Due to its comprehensive coverage of well-being dimensions, this scale has been widely applied in various fields [4, 26]. The scale consists of 42 items, scored on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Higher scores indicate greater well-being.

Employability

To assess individual employability, this study utilized the Rothwell-Employability Scale [37]. The original scale consisted of 16 items, but was reduced to 11 items after screening, focusing on evaluating individual employability. The RES includes one Overall Employability item, four Internal Employability items, and six External Employability items, scored on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (low) to 5 (high). Due to its clear and concise language and strong psychometric properties, the RES has been widely used in employment development assessments and organizational consulting across various occupational groups.

Procedure

This study began by recruiting participants through employment training programs, social media, and community announcements. Interested participants were screened to ensure they met the eligibility criteria. After obtaining institutional ethical approval, the study commenced on June 1, 2024. The recruitment and preparation phase lasted one month, followed by a two-month experimental phase, concluding on September 1, 2024.

Upon providing informed consent, participants completed a series of demographic questions, including age, gender, education level, previous musical experience, mental health history, physical health status, marital status, and family background. After collecting demographic data, participants completed baseline measurement questionnaires, including the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS), and the Rothwell-Employability Scale (RES).

Subsequently, all participants engaged in an 8-week music therapy program, conducted once a week for one hour per session. The sessions were held online via DingTalk and facilitated by certified music therapists with extensive experience in therapeutic interventions [47]. All therapists held certifications from the Chinese Professional Music Therapist Association. The program included activities such as music listening, music creation, and music discussion, with the goal of enhancing emotional regulation and stress management skills through music therapy, ultimately aimed at improving employability. After the program ended, all participants completed the same set of measurement questionnaires (BRS, PWBS, and RES) again.

To tailor the questionnaires to this study, we revised the wording of the items to better align with the specific outcomes we aimed to measure. Additionally, after answering each question, participants were asked to compare their pre-experiment responses with their experiences since the start of the experiment (July 2024) using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree.” For example, in the second item of the BRS, participants were asked whether they agreed with the statement “bounce back quickly after hard times” before the music therapy and responded using the 5-point Likert scale. While completing this scale, participants were allowed to review the pre-experiment scale they had completed and compare whether their post-experiment experiences differed from their pre-experiment feelings. This method aids recall and actively encourages participants to compare their experiences before and after the experiment.

Data were meticulously collected and recorded to ensure accuracy and completeness. Paired-samples t-tests, and multilevel linear regression were then used to analyze the data, evaluating the relationships among emotional resilience, well-being, and employability, as well as the impact of the music therapy program.

Data analysis

Prior to analysis, all data were examined for missing values and outliers, and the means and standard deviations of the demographic information were calculated. Paired-sample t-tests were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 29.0) to assess the effects of music therapy. Additionally, the PROCESS macro in SPSS was employed for mediation analysis. Model 4, a simple mediation model, was used to examine the mediation effect between emotional resilience and employability, while Model 8, which assumes moderation of the mediation model’s first segment and direct paths, was used to assess the impact of moderation effects, in accordance with the theoretical framework of this study.

Results

Preliminary analyses

To begin, we conducted preliminary analyses to describe the demographic characteristics of the sample and to assess the relationships among the key variables of interest.

The demographic information of the respondents in the experimental group is listed in Table 1 (N = 256). The sample consisted of 44.9% males and 55.1% females. The majority of participants were aged between 18 and 25 years (40.6%), followed by those aged 26 to 35 years (26.2%). The educational backgrounds of the respondents varied, with 32.4% holding a Bachelor’s degree, 25.4% having a high school education, and 23.4% possessing a Master’s degree or higher.

Table 1 Demographic of respondents

Means, standard deviations, and the correlation matrix of the key variables—emotional resilience, well-being, employment ability, gender, age, and education level—are presented in Table 2. The correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between variables, particularly highlighting strong correlations between pre-test and post-test measurements (r1 = 0.720, r2 = 0.922, r3 = 0.887). Overall, the results aligned with our expectations, except for gender.

Table 2 Descriptive statistics and correlations among variables

Specifically, emotional resilience, well-being, and employment ability exhibited significant positive correlations. Conversely, age was negatively correlated with both emotional resilience and employment ability, indicating that older participants tended to report lower levels of these attributes. These findings underscored the potential moderating role of age in the relationships under study. Gender showed generally low and non-significant correlations with other variables, suggesting no substantial gender differences in the primary outcomes.

Testing for music therapy

Based on the data presented in Tables 2 and 3, music therapy demonstrated a significant positive impact on emotional resilience and employment ability, with a notable improvement in well-being that was statistically significant.

Table 3 Paired sample t-test results for pre- and post-test scores

Emotional resilience had a mean of 3.51 before treatment and 4.52 after treatment. The paired-sample t-test results yielded t(255) = 27.145, p < 0.001, d = 1.70, indicating that music therapy had a substantial positive effect on emotional resilience, with a large effect size reflecting a very significant treatment effect.

The mean well-being score increased from 3.15 before treatment to 3.55 after treatment. The paired-sample t-test results revealed t(255) = 38.549, p < 0.001, d = 0.95, suggesting that the improvement in well-being due to music therapy was statistically significant, with a moderately high effect size indicating a notable enhancement in well-being.

Employment ability increased from a mean of 4.16 before treatment to 4.55 after treatment. The paired-sample t-test results showed t(255) = 43.021, p < 0.001, d = 1.05, demonstrating that music therapy significantly enhanced employment ability, with a moderately high effect size indicating a substantial positive impact on employment ability.

Testing for mediation effect

Based on the data presented in Tables 4 and 5, the hypothesis that emotional resilience enhances employment ability through the mediation of well-being was tested. The results indicated that emotional resilience had a significant positive impact on both well-being (b = 0.6232, t = 7.3880, p < 0.01) and employment ability (b = 0.4655, t = 7.7676, p < 0.01). Additionally, well-being significantly influenced employment ability (b = 0.3229, t = 7.9998, p < 0.01).

Table 4 Testing the mediation effect

Table 5 Total effect, direct effect, and indircet effect

To support the hypothesis, we examined the indirect effect using 5,000 bootstrap samples. The results showed a significant indirect effect of emotional resilience on employment ability through well-being, with an effect size of 0.2059 and a 95% confidence interval (Boot LLCI = 0.1133, Boot ULCI = 0.3129) that did not include zero. This indicated that well-being partially mediates the relationship between emotional resilience and employment ability. Specifically, well-being accounted for approximately 44% of the total effect of emotional resilience on employment ability (Relative Effect Size = 44%).

These findings further suggested that well-being played a partial mediating role in the effect of emotional resilience on employment ability. The direct effect of emotional resilience on employment ability remained significant even after accounting for the indirect effect through well-being (c’ = 0.2596, t = 4.4309, p < 0.01).

Testing for moderated mediation

Based on the data presented in Tables 6 and 7, gender did not significantly moderate the relationships between emotional resilience and either well-being or employment ability, while age and education level do have significant moderating effects, with age enhanced the relationship between emotional resilience and well-being, and education level negatively moderated the relationships between emotional resilience and both well-being and employment ability.

Table 6 Testing the moderated effect

Table 7 Direct and Indirect effects at different levels of WB

The moderating effect of gender on the relationship between emotional resilience and well-being was not significant (b = −0.4003, t = −1.9889, p = 0.6200), indicating that gender did not significantly moderate the relationship between these two variables. Similarly, the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between emotional resilience and employment ability was not significant (b = −0.2048, t = −1.8758, p = 0.0620). These results suggested that gender did not significantly impact the relationship between emotional resilience and both well-being and employment ability.

The moderating effect of age on the relationship between emotional resilience and well-being was significant (b = 0.3630, t = 5.4561, p < 0.01), indicating that age significantly moderated the relationship between emotional resilience and well-being. Specifically, age strengthened the impact of emotional resilience on well-being. The slope analysis results, as shown in Fig. 2, revealed that for individuals with lower age, the increase in well-being was more pronounced at higher levels of emotional resilience, supporting the moderating role of age in this relationship. However, the moderating effect of age on the relationship between emotional resilience and employability was not significant (b = 0.0717, t = 1.3621, p = 0.1744), indicating that age did not significantly moderate this relationship.

Fig. 2

The moderating effect of age on the relationship between emotional resilience and well-being

The moderating effect of educational level on the relationship between emotional resilience and well-being was significant (b = −0.3511, t = −4.1191, p < 0.01), indicating that educational level had a significant negative moderating effect on this relationship. Specifically, higher educational levels weakened the impact of emotional resilience on well-being. The slope analysis results, as shown in Fig. 3, indicate that for individuals with higher educational levels, emotional resilience had a significantly negative predictive effect on well-being.

Fig. 3

The moderating effect of education level on the relationship between emotional resilience and well-being

Similarly, the moderating effect of educational level on the relationship between emotional resilience and employability was significant (b = −0.4206, t = −8.4253, p < 0.01), indicating that educational level significantly negatively moderated this relationship. Specifically, higher educational levels weakened the impact of emotional resilience on employability. Figure 4 shows that for individuals with higher educational levels, emotional resilience negatively predicted employability, although the predictive effect was relatively small.

Fig. 4

The moderating effect of education level on the relationship between emotional resilience and employability

Discussion

Based on previous research and theories of well-being, emotional resilience, and career development, this study examined the impact of music therapy on emotional resilience from the perspectives of psychology and career development. By constructing a moderated mediation model with well-being as a mediator and gender, age, and educational level as moderating variables, this research not only clarified how emotional resilience affects individuals’ employability (through the mediating role of well-being) but also addressed under what conditions emotional resilience has a more pronounced effect on employability (through the moderating effects of gender, age, and educational level). The findings have significant theoretical and practical implications for deepening the understanding of the relationship between emotional resilience and personal career development, as well as for guiding individuals in managing healthy mindsets to enhance their psychosocial adaptation.

Impact of music therapy

This study found that music therapy has a significant positive impact on emotional resilience, well-being, and employability, with the most pronounced effect observed on emotional resilience. Music therapy enhances emotional resilience by providing avenues for emotional expression and release, thereby indirectly improving well-being and employability. These findings align with previous research, indicating that music therapy can strengthen individuals’ emotional regulation abilities and positively affect well-being and employability.

Mediating role of well-being

Well-being is a crucial component of mental health [22]. Investigating the mediating role of well-being in the relationship between emotional resilience and individual employability not only helps to reveal how emotional resilience impacts career development from psychological and career development perspectives but also sheds light on the potential for improving employability. This study found that emotional resilience can predict employability through the mediating effect of well-being. This result supports the view that well-being, as a key component of psychological health, can influence individuals’ psychological adaptability [2]. Psychological stress and emotional issues resulting from low emotional resilience may further reduce the likelihood of enhancing employability.

Emotional resilience is an important predictor of psychological well-being [1]. The impact of emotional resilience on well-being can be understood from several perspectives. First, emotional resilience helps individuals cope more effectively with stress and adversity, thereby reducing negative emotions and increasing life satisfaction [9]. This is widely supported, as emotional resilience helps individuals recover quickly from difficulties, reducing psychological and physiological stress responses, and thereby improving overall well-being. Second, individuals with higher emotional resilience are often better at maintaining positive emotions and psychological flexibility, which directly promotes their well-being. This ability allows them to maintain an optimistic attitude in the face of challenges and more easily experience positive aspects of life. Additionally, emotional resilience improves well-being indirectly by enhancing individuals’ social support systems and coping strategies [18]. Strong social support and effective coping strategies provide additional psychological resources, helping individuals better regulate their emotions and manage life difficulties. Moreover, emotional resilience is associated with personal self-efficacy and well-being, enhancing individuals’ adaptability in difficult situations [31]. Further exploration in this research area can help us understand how emotional resilience affects well-being in different contexts and reveal more factors influencing emotional resilience and well-being [40].

Moderating effects of gender, age, and education level

This study, building on previous research, constructs a moderated mediation model to examine the moderating effects of gender, age, and educational level on the relationship between emotional resilience, well-being, and employability. The results indicate that gender does not significantly moderate the relationship between emotional resilience and both well-being and employability. Age significantly enhances the effect of emotional resilience on well-being, whereas educational level significantly weakens the effect of emotional resilience on both well-being and employability.

Regarding gender, the relationship between emotional resilience and well-being is not significant. This finding contradicts the hypothesis and may be due to gender playing a minor role in the impact of emotional resilience. For instance, Fujita et al. [21] suggest that although gender differences exist in emotional intensity, they do not necessarily influence broader outcomes like well-being or employability. Similarly, Fiorentini [18] highlights that while gender affects emotional expression and physiology, these differences may not significantly impact overall well-being or employability, suggesting that emotional resilience operates similarly across genders.

In terms of age, the study found that emotional resilience has a more significant effect on the well-being of younger individuals compared to older ones. This finding is consistent with existing literature, suggesting that age may amplify the effect of emotional resilience on well-being by increasing life experience and emotional regulation abilities [24]. Older individuals typically possess stronger emotional regulation skills, which can contribute to higher well-being as a result of emotional resilience. However, the study did not find a significant moderating effect of age on the relationship between emotional resilience and employability, indicating that the impact of emotional resilience on employability may be more influenced by other factors, such as work experience and career stage.

Regarding educational level, the direct predictive effect of emotional resilience on well-being is more pronounced for individuals with higher education compared to those with lower education levels. Nandrino [35] found that individuals with higher education levels often have greater cognitive and emotional resources. This abundance of resources can make the impact of emotional resilience on well-being and employability less significant than expected. Furthermore, the study found that emotional resilience more significantly affects the well-being of individuals with higher education levels and leads to increased employability.

Limitations and future directions

Several limitations are present in the current research that warrant attention in future studies. Firstly, the sample size and demographic diversity are somewhat limited, which may affect the generalizability of the results. Future research should strive to include larger and more diverse populations to enhance the external validity of the findings. Secondly, the use of self-reported measures introduces potential response bias. Incorporating objective assessments or data from multiple sources could provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the impact of music therapy on emotional resilience and employability. Additionally, the cross-sectional nature of the study restricts causal conclusions. Longitudinal studies are necessary to better understand the temporal relationships among emotional resilience, well-being, and employability. Furthermore, the research does not examine variations in music therapy techniques, which might yield different outcomes. Future investigations should explore various music therapy approaches and their distinct effects on emotional resilience and career development.

Conclusion

The findings of this research indicate that music therapy significantly enhances emotional resilience, well-being, and employability. Emotional resilience was shown to play a crucial role in improving well-being, which in turn positively affects employability. Well-being was confirmed as a mediator in the relationship between emotional resilience and employability, emphasizing its significance in psychological and career development. The moderating effects of age and educational level revealed that younger individuals and those with higher education levels benefit more from emotional resilience in terms of well-being and employability. While the study’s limitations, such as sample size and reliance on self-reported data, should be acknowledged, the results offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of music therapy and the role of emotional resilience in career outcomes. Addressing these limitations through larger, more diverse samples, objective measures, and longitudinal designs will be crucial for further validating and expanding these findings.