The Synergistic Effects of Passive Coping Strategies and Classical Music on Mood Enhancement

Raymond Kwon

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18

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The Synergistic Effects of Passive Coping Strategies and Classical Music on Mood Enhancement

Raymond Kwon^*

Published in American Journal of Applied Psychology (Volume 15, Issue 4)

Received: 29 June 2026 Accepted: 27 July 2026 Published: 26 August 2026

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Abstract

Technological change has diversified contemporary stressors and increased individuals’ exposure to potentially stressful digital stimuli. These stimuli are inherently dynamic, continually changing in form, intensity, and patterns of exposure. In response to this evolving environment, the present study examined the roles of passive coping strategies and the perceived effects of classical music in supporting stress regulation and emotional recovery. To investigate these relationships, an online survey was administered to 236 adults. Participants reported their use of coping strategies, music-related emotional and cognitive experiences, perceived effects of classical music, and mood enhancement. Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify associations among the variables. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine significant predictors of mood enhancement, while structural equation modeling was employed to test hypothesized pathways linking passive coping strategies to mood enhancement, with perceived classical music effects specified as a potential mediator. Mood enhancement was positively associated with emotional diversification, executive control, emotional exploration, and perceived effects of classical music. Active relief seeking, emotional diversification, executive control, and perceived classical music effects emerged as positive predictors of mood enhancement, whereas relaxation techniques showed a negative association. Passive coping strategies were also positively associated with both perceived classical music effects and mood enhancement. Moreover, perceived classical music effects were strongly associated with mood enhancement and appeared to mediate the relationship between passive coping strategies and mood enhancement. These findings suggest that passive coping behaviors, such as spending time alone and resting, may contribute to mood improvement when combined with emotionally and cognitively engaging experiences. Classical music may therefore serve as an accessible complementary resource for everyday stress management and emotional regulation.

Published in	American Journal of Applied Psychology (Volume 15, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18
Page(s)	157-167
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Classical Music, Passive Coping Strategies, Mood Enhancement, Stress Management, Emotional Regulation

References

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[15]	Wiseheart, M., Viswanathan, M., & Bialystok, E. (2016). Flexibility in task switching by monolinguals and bilinguals. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 19(1), 141-146.
[16]	Paap, K. R., Johnson, H. A., & Sawi, O. (2015). Bilingual advantages in executive functioning either do not exist or are restricted to very specific and undetermined circumstances. Cortex, 69, 265–278.
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Kwon, R. (2026). The Synergistic Effects of Passive Coping Strategies and Classical Music on Mood Enhancement. American Journal of Applied Psychology, 15(4), 157-167. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18

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ACS Style

Kwon, R. The Synergistic Effects of Passive Coping Strategies and Classical Music on Mood Enhancement. Am. J. Appl. Psychol. 2026, 15(4), 157-167. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18

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AMA Style

Kwon R. The Synergistic Effects of Passive Coping Strategies and Classical Music on Mood Enhancement. Am J Appl Psychol. 2026;15(4):157-167. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18

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@article{10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18,
  author = {Raymond Kwon},
  title = {The Synergistic Effects of Passive Coping Strategies and Classical Music on Mood Enhancement},
  journal = {American Journal of Applied Psychology},
  volume = {15},
  number = {4},
  pages = {157-167},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajap.20261504.18},
  abstract = {Technological change has diversified contemporary stressors and increased individuals’ exposure to potentially stressful digital stimuli. These stimuli are inherently dynamic, continually changing in form, intensity, and patterns of exposure. In response to this evolving environment, the present study examined the roles of passive coping strategies and the perceived effects of classical music in supporting stress regulation and emotional recovery. To investigate these relationships, an online survey was administered to 236 adults. Participants reported their use of coping strategies, music-related emotional and cognitive experiences, perceived effects of classical music, and mood enhancement. Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify associations among the variables. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine significant predictors of mood enhancement, while structural equation modeling was employed to test hypothesized pathways linking passive coping strategies to mood enhancement, with perceived classical music effects specified as a potential mediator. Mood enhancement was positively associated with emotional diversification, executive control, emotional exploration, and perceived effects of classical music. Active relief seeking, emotional diversification, executive control, and perceived classical music effects emerged as positive predictors of mood enhancement, whereas relaxation techniques showed a negative association. Passive coping strategies were also positively associated with both perceived classical music effects and mood enhancement. Moreover, perceived classical music effects were strongly associated with mood enhancement and appeared to mediate the relationship between passive coping strategies and mood enhancement. These findings suggest that passive coping behaviors, such as spending time alone and resting, may contribute to mood improvement when combined with emotionally and cognitively engaging experiences. Classical music may therefore serve as an accessible complementary resource for everyday stress management and emotional regulation.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Synergistic Effects of Passive Coping Strategies and Classical Music on Mood Enhancement
AU  - Raymond Kwon
Y1  - 2026/08/26
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18
T2  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
JF  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
JO  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
SP  - 157
EP  - 167
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5672
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18
AB  - Technological change has diversified contemporary stressors and increased individuals’ exposure to potentially stressful digital stimuli. These stimuli are inherently dynamic, continually changing in form, intensity, and patterns of exposure. In response to this evolving environment, the present study examined the roles of passive coping strategies and the perceived effects of classical music in supporting stress regulation and emotional recovery. To investigate these relationships, an online survey was administered to 236 adults. Participants reported their use of coping strategies, music-related emotional and cognitive experiences, perceived effects of classical music, and mood enhancement. Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify associations among the variables. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine significant predictors of mood enhancement, while structural equation modeling was employed to test hypothesized pathways linking passive coping strategies to mood enhancement, with perceived classical music effects specified as a potential mediator. Mood enhancement was positively associated with emotional diversification, executive control, emotional exploration, and perceived effects of classical music. Active relief seeking, emotional diversification, executive control, and perceived classical music effects emerged as positive predictors of mood enhancement, whereas relaxation techniques showed a negative association. Passive coping strategies were also positively associated with both perceived classical music effects and mood enhancement. Moreover, perceived classical music effects were strongly associated with mood enhancement and appeared to mediate the relationship between passive coping strategies and mood enhancement. These findings suggest that passive coping behaviors, such as spending time alone and resting, may contribute to mood improvement when combined with emotionally and cognitively engaging experiences. Classical music may therefore serve as an accessible complementary resource for everyday stress management and emotional regulation.
VL  - 15
IS  - 4
ER  -

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Author Information

Raymond Kwon

Science Department, Seoul International School, Seongnam-si, South Korea

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http://orcid.org/0009-0001-3407-6076

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Kwon, R. (2026). The Synergistic Effects of Passive Coping Strategies and Classical Music on Mood Enhancement. American Journal of Applied Psychology, 15(4), 157-167. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18

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ACS Style

Kwon, R. The Synergistic Effects of Passive Coping Strategies and Classical Music on Mood Enhancement. Am. J. Appl. Psychol. 2026, 15(4), 157-167. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18

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AMA Style

Kwon R. The Synergistic Effects of Passive Coping Strategies and Classical Music on Mood Enhancement. Am J Appl Psychol. 2026;15(4):157-167. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18,
  author = {Raymond Kwon},
  title = {The Synergistic Effects of Passive Coping Strategies and Classical Music on Mood Enhancement},
  journal = {American Journal of Applied Psychology},
  volume = {15},
  number = {4},
  pages = {157-167},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajap.20261504.18},
  abstract = {Technological change has diversified contemporary stressors and increased individuals’ exposure to potentially stressful digital stimuli. These stimuli are inherently dynamic, continually changing in form, intensity, and patterns of exposure. In response to this evolving environment, the present study examined the roles of passive coping strategies and the perceived effects of classical music in supporting stress regulation and emotional recovery. To investigate these relationships, an online survey was administered to 236 adults. Participants reported their use of coping strategies, music-related emotional and cognitive experiences, perceived effects of classical music, and mood enhancement. Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify associations among the variables. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine significant predictors of mood enhancement, while structural equation modeling was employed to test hypothesized pathways linking passive coping strategies to mood enhancement, with perceived classical music effects specified as a potential mediator. Mood enhancement was positively associated with emotional diversification, executive control, emotional exploration, and perceived effects of classical music. Active relief seeking, emotional diversification, executive control, and perceived classical music effects emerged as positive predictors of mood enhancement, whereas relaxation techniques showed a negative association. Passive coping strategies were also positively associated with both perceived classical music effects and mood enhancement. Moreover, perceived classical music effects were strongly associated with mood enhancement and appeared to mediate the relationship between passive coping strategies and mood enhancement. These findings suggest that passive coping behaviors, such as spending time alone and resting, may contribute to mood improvement when combined with emotionally and cognitively engaging experiences. Classical music may therefore serve as an accessible complementary resource for everyday stress management and emotional regulation.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Synergistic Effects of Passive Coping Strategies and Classical Music on Mood Enhancement
AU  - Raymond Kwon
Y1  - 2026/08/26
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18
T2  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
JF  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
JO  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
SP  - 157
EP  - 167
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5672
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20261504.18
AB  - Technological change has diversified contemporary stressors and increased individuals’ exposure to potentially stressful digital stimuli. These stimuli are inherently dynamic, continually changing in form, intensity, and patterns of exposure. In response to this evolving environment, the present study examined the roles of passive coping strategies and the perceived effects of classical music in supporting stress regulation and emotional recovery. To investigate these relationships, an online survey was administered to 236 adults. Participants reported their use of coping strategies, music-related emotional and cognitive experiences, perceived effects of classical music, and mood enhancement. Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify associations among the variables. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine significant predictors of mood enhancement, while structural equation modeling was employed to test hypothesized pathways linking passive coping strategies to mood enhancement, with perceived classical music effects specified as a potential mediator. Mood enhancement was positively associated with emotional diversification, executive control, emotional exploration, and perceived effects of classical music. Active relief seeking, emotional diversification, executive control, and perceived classical music effects emerged as positive predictors of mood enhancement, whereas relaxation techniques showed a negative association. Passive coping strategies were also positively associated with both perceived classical music effects and mood enhancement. Moreover, perceived classical music effects were strongly associated with mood enhancement and appeared to mediate the relationship between passive coping strategies and mood enhancement. These findings suggest that passive coping behaviors, such as spending time alone and resting, may contribute to mood improvement when combined with emotionally and cognitively engaging experiences. Classical music may therefore serve as an accessible complementary resource for everyday stress management and emotional regulation.
VL  - 15
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download