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Effect of Music-Based Wellness Programmes on Stress Levels among University Students in Nigeria

Abstract

Stress is an important mental health and public health concern among university students in Nigeria and may arise from academic workload, examinations, financial difficulties, relationship challenges, family responsibilities, social pressures, and uncertainty about future employment. Persistent stress may negatively affect students' psychological wellbeing, concentration, sleep, academic performance, social relationships, and overall university experience. Music-based wellness programmes provide a potentially accessible and non-invasive approach to promoting relaxation and emotional wellbeing through activities such as guided music listening, music appreciation sessions, group music activities, and structured music-based relaxation exercises. However, the availability and implementation of structured music-based wellness programmes within Nigerian universities remain limited. Against this background, this study investigates the effect of music-based wellness programmes on stress levels among university students in Nigeria. The study will be anchored on the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, the Stress Reduction Theory, and Social Cognitive Theory. The Transactional Model of Stress and Coping explains how students' appraisal of academic, social, financial, and personal demands influences their stress responses and coping strategies. Stress Reduction Theory provides a framework for understanding how exposure to calming and pleasant environments or activities may reduce psychological and physiological stress responses. Social Cognitive Theory emphasizes the roles of behavioural skills, self-efficacy, observational learning, social interaction, and environmental support in adopting healthy stress-management practices. Collectively, these theoretical perspectives provide a suitable framework for explaining how music-based wellness programmes may influence stress levels among university students in Nigeria. The study will adopt a quantitative quasi-experimental research design. The study population will comprise undergraduate students enrolled in selected public and private universities across Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique will be used to select states, universities, faculties, departments, and eligible students. Music-based wellness programmes will be measured using indicators such as frequency and duration of programme sessions, guided music listening, music-based relaxation exercises, group music activities, structured playlists, relaxation sessions, participant engagement, programme attendance, and consistency of participation. Stress levels will be assessed using indicators such as perceived stress, psychological tension, irritability, difficulty relaxing, emotional exhaustion, concentration difficulties, sleep-related stress symptoms, feelings of being overwhelmed, and perceived inability to cope with academic and personal demands. Data will be collected using structured questionnaires and validated stress assessment instruments administered before and after participation in the music-based wellness programme. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize students' demographic and academic characteristics, programme participation, and stress levels. Inferential statistical techniques, including paired sample tests, independent sample tests, chi-square tests, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis where appropriate, will be used to determine the effect of music-based wellness programmes on stress levels. Diagnostic tests will also be conducted to assess the reliability, validity, and robustness of the findings. The study is expected to find that music-based wellness programmes have a significant effect in reducing stress levels among university students in Nigeria. Students who participate regularly in structured music-based wellness sessions are expected to demonstrate lower levels of perceived stress, psychological tension, emotional exhaustion, and difficulty relaxing compared with their baseline stress levels or students who do not participate in similar programmes. Guided music listening, group music activities, and structured relaxation sessions may provide students with accessible opportunities to relax, regulate emotions, temporarily disengage from academic pressures, and develop positive coping routines. Regular participation may also improve students' sense of social connectedness when programmes involve appropriate group activities. However, differences in musical preferences, cultural perceptions of music-based interventions, academic schedules, limited programme resources, inconsistent attendance, and inadequate institutional support may influence programme effectiveness. The study therefore expects accessible, culturally appropriate, student-centred, and sustained music-based wellness programmes to contribute significantly to stress reduction among university students in Nigeria. The study is expected to contribute to the literature on music-based wellness programmes, stress management, university student wellbeing, mental health promotion, non-pharmacological wellness interventions, health education, student health, and public health in Nigeria. The findings will provide useful information to the National Universities Commission, Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, university administrators, student affairs departments, counselling centres, university health services, psychologists, counsellors, music and creative-arts professionals, public health practitioners, student organizations, development partners, and policymakers regarding innovative approaches to student stress management. The study will also provide evidence-based recommendations for incorporating structured music-based wellness activities into university health and student wellbeing programmes, establishing accessible relaxation spaces, supporting student-led wellness initiatives, strengthening counselling and stress-management services, and developing sustainable, culturally responsive wellness programmes across universities in Nigeria.

Keywords: Music-based wellness programmes, stress levels, university students, stress management, student wellbeing, music-based intervention, mental health promotion, relaxation, health education, university health services, Nigeria, public health.