Luca Piccoli (University of Trento)
Giulia Gambardella and Lucia Mangiavacchi
This paper estimates the long term causal effects of music practice during childhood and adolescence on emotional intelligence and mental health in young adulthood. To address selection into music practice, we exploit the introduction of a school based music program as a source of exogenous variation. We find that program exposure significantly increases sustained participation in music-related activities, including instrumental training, home practice, ensemble performance, and choir participation. Continued engagement and higher levels of music proficiency, in turn, lead to statistically and economically significant improvements in emotional intelligence and mental health outcomes in young adulthood. Music proficiency enhances key non cognitive skills such as self-motivation, optimism, and adaptability, while reducing symptoms associated with poor mental health, including depression and anxiety. The estimated effects are particularly pronounced among males and second generation migrants, suggesting that music based skill formation may play an important role in reducing disparities.