Music consumption: A systematic review across the lifespan

The present study aimed to systematically review research concerning changes in music consumption across the lifespan to better understand how adults of all ages consume music. Keyword searches of four academic databases (i.e., Web of Science, PubMed, PsycInfo, & Academic Search Complete) identified 2,002 peer-reviewed articles, and of these, fifteen articles were selected for review using the PRISMA protocol. The findings of the review indicated that very few studies have investigated how people of all ages consume music, and what little research has been done on this topic has been methodologically inconsistent and led to findings that are contradictory and inconclusive. Several questionnaire studies found that music consumption decreased with age, whilst an interview study found that music consumption is likely to increase with age. This review also identified a shortlist of possible factors (e.g., life goals, personality, conformity) that might account for any age-related changes in musical consumption. With many people living in ageing societies, and music a ubiquitous part of daily life, the review recommends that future research on this topic should seek to reflect how people of all ages consume music, and to identify the factors responsible for any changes in music consumption as people grow older.