Audiences’ emotional response to choir singing by people living with mental health conditions

Growing evidence shows that choirs improve the well-being of people experiencing chronic mental health conditions; however, the impact of performances by “recovery choirs” (i.e., singers with mental health conditions) on their community audience members has not been examined. In three studies, we explored whether performances foster positive emotions toward recovery choristers. In Study 1, we surveyed 50 audience members before and after a public concert and found that watching the recovery choir sing increased positive emotions and attitudes toward mental health recovery. In a randomized experiment, Study 2a ( n = 322) and 2b ( n = 403) found that watching a short film of both a recovery choir and an amateur community choir singing increased positive emotions toward the choristers in comparison with a control activity condition. There was mixed evidence for effects on social connectedness, acceptance, and belief in mental health recovery. The effects of watching the choirs singing on social connectedness and acceptance of the choristers were mediated by positive emotions. Our results provide new evidence of the audience’s responses to amateur choir performances, by demonstrating that witnessing both community and recovery choir performances can foster admiration, respect, and positive regard toward choristers regardless of their mental health status.