ALGORITHMIC MUSIC AS AN INVISIBLE EMOTIONAL REGULATOR: A NARRATIVE REVIEW OF EMOTIONAL REGULATION AND MENTAL HEALTH

ALGORITHMIC MUSIC AS AN INVISIBLE EMOTIONAL REGULATOR: A NARRATIVE REVIEW OF EMOTIONAL REGULATION AND MENTAL HEALTH | Zenodo Skip to main Communities My dashboard Log in Sign up Zenodo is currently experiencing slowness and intermittent outages due to heavy automated traffic from bots and AI crawlers. We are aware of the problem, and our team is focused on stabilizing the service. Thank you for your patience. Grow with Scientific Culture Published May 8, 2026 | Version v1 Journal article Open ALGORITHMIC MUSIC AS AN INVISIBLE EMOTIONAL REGULATOR: A NARRATIVE REVIEW OF EMOTIONAL REGULATION AND MENTAL HEALTH Authors/Creators Naruepon Vongjaturapat, Kanapan Pachatikapanya, Apisit Salaohom, Ratchaya Supalak, U. S. Mahadeva Rao, Keng Yinn Wong, Huiyi Tan, Garry Kuan (Contact person) 1 Show affiliations 1.

Faculty of Sport Science and Human Performance, Institute of Entrepreneurial Science Ayothaya, Sathon Campus, Bangkok, Thailand School of Medicine, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand School of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia Exercise and Sports Science Programme, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia Description Music has long been recognised as a powerful medium for emotional expression and psychological regulation. In modern digital environments, music engagement has progressively transitioned from deliberate self-selection to passive consumption via artificial intelligence (AI)–based recommendation systems. Although algorithmic music curation is often advocated for its potential to improve user pleasure and emotional wellbeing, its wider psychological and cultural implications are inadequately explored in the mental health literature. This narrative review seeks to critically analyse the psychological effects of algorithmically curated music listening on emotional regulation and mental health. It specifically investigates whether AI-driven music systems enhance emotional health or gradually limit emotional adaptability, psychological autonomy, and attentional control. A theory- driven review method was utilised to synthesise interdisciplinary literature from psychology, music studies, digital culture, and mental health research. Searches were conducted in major academic databases using keywords related to algorithmic music, emotional regulation, AI-curated recommendation systems, digital wellbeing, and mental health. Empirical studies and conceptual frameworks published in English were included to identify emerging theoretical patterns, knowledge gaps, and cultural considerations. The review indicated that AI-curated music systems operate as unseen emotional regulators, influencing affective experiences via repeated exposure to mood-congruent musical content. Although it could aid in short-term mood regulation, prolonged dependence on algorithmic curation may reinforce current emotional states, diminish emotional flexibility, and externalise regulatory mechanisms. Concerns have been expressed about reduced psychological autonomy, attentional fragmentation, and the risk of emotional dependency, especially in persons susceptible to anxiety, depressed, or rumination (Nolen-Hoeksema, Wisco, & Lyubomirsky, 2008). At a cultural level, algorithmic standardisation may contribute to the homogenisation of emotional expression, marginalising culturally embedded musical practices associated with collective coping and resilience. Algorithmic music curation represents a significant transformation in everyday emotional regulation practices. Conceptualising algorithmic music as an unseen emotional regulator establishes an important foundation for future interdisciplinary research and ethically informed digital listening environments. 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Versions External resources Indexed in OpenAIRE Communities Keywords and subjects Keywords Algorithmic music; Emotional regulation; Mental health; Artificial intelligence; Digital wellbeing Details DOI DOI Badge DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20078884 Markdown [](https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20078884) reStructuredText .. image:: https://zenodo.org/badge/DOI/10.5281/zenodo.20078884.svg :target: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20078884 HTML <a href="https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20078884"><img src="https://zenodo.org/badge/DOI/10.5281/zenodo.20078884.svg" alt="DOI"></a> Image URL https://zenodo.org/badge/DOI/10.5281/zenodo.20078884.svg Target URL https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20078884 Resource type Journal article Publisher Zenodo Published in SCIENTIFIC CULTURE, 12(4), ISSN: 2407-9529, 2026. Rights License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International The Creative Commons Attribution license allows re-distribution and re-use of a licensed work on the condition that the creator is appropriately credited. Read more Citation Export Technical metadata Created May 8, 2026 Modified May 8, 2026 Jump up About About Policies Infrastructure Principles Projects Roadmap Contact Blog Blog Support Help FAQ Developers REST API OAI-PMH Contribute GitHub Donate Funded by Powered by CERN Data Centre & InvenioRDM Status Privacy policy Cookie policy Terms of Use This site uses cookies. Find out more on how we use cookies Accept all cookies Accept only essential cookies

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