Manoj Verma (Research Scholar)
Department of Performing Arts (Music), Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla
E-mail: mv83083@gmail.com
Dr. Mritunjay Sharma, Assistant Professor,
Department of Performing Arts (Music), Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla

Abstract

This research paper mainly focused on the impact of spiritual folk songs on mental exhaustion caused by various activities related to a person’s daily life. For this experimental study 120 samples (46 male and 74 female) were selected randomly from the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Single group pre-test and post-test design was implemented in this study. After listening the spiritual folk songs for 30 days, the post-test was conducted. It was found that the mean scores of Pre-tests and Post-test were M=44.84 and M=31.47  respectively. The value of ‘t’ was t=14.474 which was highly significant at 0.01 level of confidence. The findings revealed that spiritual folk music had a significant impact on mental exhaustion. Thus, listening to spiritual folk songs enhances people’s mental happiness and spiritual peace, which reduces their mental exhaustion. 

Key Word: Spiritual folk music, mental exhaustion, music therapy, folk music.

Introduction

In the pursuit of a better way of life, today’s human experiences many ups and downs in his everyday life, where he faces multiple kinds of stress and worries. In a scenario like this, not only does the person’s personal life suffer, but also his or her social, professional, and familial relationship affects. In such a condition, the person develops a sense of inferiority, feels insecure to do any kind of job and his mind begins to remain gloomy. It is a symptom of mental fatigue, which can lead to multiple mental diseases such as depression, schizophrenia, insomnia, and bipolar disorder (Kazukauskiene,2021; Chaudhuri A,2004; Zhang,2021). In such a situation, music plays a significant role in creating an encouraging atmosphere and inspiring and motivating the person (Witte,2020; Umbrello,2019; Huang,2011; Kemper,2005; Harmat,2008). Music is not only an effective way for every individual to express their devotional feelings and faith, but it also has a positive impact on people’s nervous systems (Tuckett,2023), which reduces feelings of stress (Witte,2020; Umbrello,2019), anxiety (Bartel,2013; Witte,2020, Umbrello,2019; Kemper,2005; Harmat,2008; Devi, 2019;), fatigue (Zhou,2023), hopelessness (Huang,2011), and depression (Tang,2020; Bartel,2013). Hence, this research work becomes necessary for all human beings.

Music can change people’s moods (Tesoriero, 2012; Vastfjall, 2001; Wendy, 2002). Music can be beneficial in the case of major disorders such as Parkinson (Sotomayor, 2021; Wassily, 2021). Classical music has a positive impact on students in terms of their achievement (Kent,2006). Listening to interesting music positively reduces the level of mental fatigue (Linnemann, 2015; 2016). Listening to interesting music can reduce work stress (Witte,2020; Umbrello,2019; Huang,2011; Kemper,2005; Harmat,2008; Devi, 2019; Bhatoya, 2019) and bring about a positive change in a person’s personality (Sharma, 2020; Sharma, 2022).

Mental Exhaustion

Mental exhaustion is a physiological state in which a person’s thinking is influenced by negative emotions rather than pleasant ones. Long-term work stress, workload (Wascher, 2014) cognitive thinking task (Wascher, 2014; Mockel, 2015; Marcora,2009) or worry are common causes of this health condition (Hancock,2000; Haung,2020). Due to which not only the person’s work efficiency (Hopstaken,2015; Wascher E,2014), physical performance (Cutsem,2017), decision making power and self-confidence decrease (Hopstaken,2015; Boksem,2006; Haung,2020), as well as family and social relations are also negatively affected. Long mental exhaustion can result in a variety of neurological disorders (Chaudhuri A,2004) and mental problems such as burnout syndrome (Hills,2014;2019), stress (Zhang,2021), depression, insomnia etc. That is why, in psychiatry, mental exhaustion can be considered significant.

Spiritual Folk Songs

Spirituality generally refers to a process of self-knowledge (Sheldrake,2007), contemplation, and a study in which one seeks to examine, understand, and gain knowledge of the conscious element within oneself (Waaijaman,2003; Bhawuk,2019; Sheldrake,2007; Jayadayal; Bhramkumaris,2020; Chander,1988). In such a condition, a person usually perceives himself to relate to some infinite or superior power (Spencer,2012; Jayadayal; Bhramkumaris,2020).  Spiritual Indian gurus have also defined spirituality as a relationship between ‘Ishwar and Parmeshwar’, which includes an effort to know and understand the conscious aspect within us through the process of ‘dhyana’ (Burkhardt,2001; Shah,2019) and ‘moksha’ (Thakur,2019; Bhramkumaris,2020). Emotions related to God or the Supreme Power in ordinary people are known as spirituality, whose purpose is to attain ‘moksha’ away from physical pleasures (Bhramkumaris,2020; Thakur,2019). Similarly, songs that express the devotional feelings, spiritual feelings, thoughts related to ‘God or Kuldevta’ of the people belonging to a particular region, village or community in a local dialect are called spiritual folk songs (Singh,2017).

Impact of Spiritual Folk Songs on Humans

It would not be an exaggeration to argue that the art of music is one of the best discoveries made by man. Different types of sounds affect the human brain in different ways (Bansar,2014;). It is well observed that loud and unmelodic sounds upset and irritate us (Bansar,2014; Stansfeld,2003; Langguth ,2011; Lefevre, 2004), whilst soothing and melodic sounds provide us with comfort and peace (Lefevre, 2004). Music, which is likewise composed of melodic sounds, plays an important role in giving us mental calm (Kemper,2005; Harmat,2008) and comfort. Because folk-music also has the distinction of music, so it has all the elements of music therapy. Basically, folk music is simple music made by ordinary people to reflect their ordinary feelings (Justa,1986; Sharma,2012; Gautam; Chaudhary,2002; Shiksha,2023; Sargam,2021). Classical music is only understood by those who have knowledge of it, while folk music influences individuals from a vast area who have no understanding of the khatka, Meend, Murki, Kana, Gamaka, and taana of classical music. But due to the folk dialect, folk song comes out as a powerful medium for the emergence and exchange of their various emotions like love, joy, anger, adornment, devotion etc. (Sharma,2012; Shree,1976; Shiksha,2023;).  Similarly, spiritual folk songs also influence people with positivity and play an important role in keeping people motivated, satisfied and happy in times of mental worries, sadness, and suffering from pain.

Objective

To investigate the impact of spiritual folk songs on mental exhaustion.

Hypothesis

Methods

This is an experimental study in which single group pre-test and post design is implemented.  

Variables

Independent variable: Spiritual folk songs

Dependent variable: Mental exhaustion

Participants

The stratified random sampling technique had been used in the research study, in which the entire population of Sirmaur district had divided into two separate parts (strata) at the basis of gender and a total of 200 people were selected at random (100 each stratum), out of which only 120 participants completed the research process. So, 120 individuals, both men and female were chosen for the study.

Table: 1

District	Total Sample	Male	Female
Sirmaur	120	46	74

Research procedure

First, the spiritual traditional folk songs used in the research were gathered from various sources. After this pre-test of the samples was taken and they listened spiritual folk songs such as Lok Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bharthari, Siya-Haran, Lok bhajan, Birsu and others continuously for 30 days. Following that, a post-test was conducted, and the data was analyzed using t-test.

Results

To assess the impact of music on mental exhaustion, an Independent & paired sample t-test was used. Throughout this approach, significant differences in the samples’ pre-test and post-test have been found, and their significance has been determined using a 0.01 level of confidence. 

Table: 2 showing means, SDs of male group
		Mean	N	Std. Deviation
Male	Pre-test	44.33	46	9.773
	Post-test	31.65	46	7.558

According to Table 2, the mean value of the pre-test is M=44.33, and the M=31.65 in the post-test. The pre-test (M=44.33, SD= 9.773) score is higher than the post-test (M=31.65, SD= 7.558). This indicates that there is a statistically difference between male pre-and post-test scores.

Table: 3 Paired differences between pretest-posttest of male group
		Paired Differences				t	df	Sig.
		Mean	Std. Deviation	95% Confidence Interval of the Difference
				Lower	Upper
Male	Pretest-Posttest	12.674	10.853	9.451	15.897	7.921	45	.000
Significant at 0.01 level of confidence.

As indicated in Table 3, the critical value of ‘t’ (t=2.678) is less than the absolute value of t (45) =7.921. This suggests that the t(45)=7.921 is statistically significant at the 0.01 level of confidence. The mean and standard deviation decline in test scores is M=12.674, SD=10.853 with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 9.451 to 15.897. The P<0.01 is highly significant and the eta squire statistic (.58) indicate a medium effect size. Thus, it can be said that the difference between pre-test and post-test scores of males’ is statistically significant.

Therefore, the null hypotheses, “There is no significant impact of spiritual folk songs on the level of mental exhaustion among males” is rejected and it may be stated that listening to spiritual folk songs had a significant impact on mental exhaustion of the male samples.

Table: 4 showing means, SDs of female group
		Mean	N	Std. Deviation
Female	Pre-test	45.16	74	9.226
	Post-test	31.35	74	8.326

According to Table 4, the mean value of the pre-test is M=45.16, and the M=31.35 in the post-test. The pre-test (M=45.16, SD= 9.226) score higher than the post-test (M=31.35, SD= 8.326) score. This indicates that there is a difference between female pre-and post-test scores. 

Table: 5 Paired differences between pretest-posttest of female group
		Paired Differences				t	df	Sig.
		Mean	Std. Deviation	95% Confidence Interval of the Difference
				Lower	Upper
Female	Pretest-Posttest	13.811	9.692	11.565	16.056	12.258	73	.000
Significant at 0.01 level of confidence.

As indicated in Table 5, the critical value of ‘t’ (t=2.639) is less than the absolute value of t (73) =12.258. This suggests that the t (73) =12.258 is statistically significant at the 0.01 level of confidence. The mean and standard deviation decline in test scores is M=13.811, SD=9.692 with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 11.565 to 16.056. The P<0.01 is highly significant and the eta squire statistic (.67) indicate a medium effect size. Thus, it can be said that the difference between females’ pre-test and post-test score is statistically significant. 

Therefore, the null hypotheses, “There is no significant impact of spiritual folk songs on the level of mental exhaustion among females” is rejected and it may be stated that listening to spiritual folk songs had a significant impact on mental exhaustion of the female samples.

Table:  6 The pre-test scores of both male & females
Gender		N	Mean	Std. Deviation
Pretest	Male	46	44.33	9.773
	Female	74	45.16	7.226

Table 6 shows that the male sample’s pre-test mean value is M=44.33, whereas the female sample’s mean value is M=45.16. Females seemed to attain a higher score (M=45.16, SD= 7.226) than male sample (M=44.33, SD= 9.773) in pre-test. This suggests that there is a difference in pre-test scores between male and females. However, the difference could also be related to the fact that the total number of participants N=120 (Male=46, female= 74) is not equal.

Table: 7 Independent Samples Test difference between pre-test of both groups’ male and female
Levene’s Test for Equality of Variances		t-test for Equality of Means
p		t	df	Sig.	Mean Difference	95% Confidence Interval of the Difference
						Lower	Upper
.592		-.472	118	.638	-.836	-4.345	2.673
	Not significant at 0.01 level of confidence

Table 7 shows, The Levene’s value P(.592)>0.05 is not significant and the critical value of ‘t’ (t=2.581) is greater than the absolute value of t 118=.472. This suggests that the t (118) =.472 is not statistically significant at the 0.01 level of confidence. The mean difference test scores are M=.836 with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 4.345 to 2.673. The value of P (.638)>0.05 is not significant and the eta squire statistic (.001) indicate no effect size (cohen,1988). Thus, it can be said that the difference between all male and all female score is not statistically significant in pre-test. Therefore, it can be said that listening to spiritual folk songs had a same impact on the males and female samples.

Table:  8 The post-test scores of both male & females
Gender		N	Mean	Std. Deviation
Post-test	Male	46	31.65	7.558
	Female	74	31.35	8.326

Table 8 shows that the male sample’s post-test mean value is M=31.65, whereas the female sample’s mean value is M=31.35. Females seemed to attain a higher score (M=31.65, SD= 8.326) than male sample (M=31.65, SD= 7.558) in pre-test. This suggests that there is a minimal difference in post-test scores between male and females.

Table: 9 Independent Samples Test analysis of the post-test of both groups’ male and female
Levene’s Test for Equality of VariancesP		t-test for Equality of Means
		t	df	Sig.	Mean Difference	95% Confidence Interval of the Difference
						Lower	Upper
	.257	.199	118	.842	.301	-2.689	3.291

Not significant at 0.01 level of confidence.

Table 9 reveals that the Levene’s value P(.257)>0.05 is not significant and the critical value of ‘t’ (t=2.581) is greater than the absolute value of t 118=.199. This suggests that the t(118)=.199 is not statistically significant at the 0.01 level of confidence. The mean difference test scores are M=.301 with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 2.689 to 3.291. The value of P (.842)>0.05 is not significant and the eta squire statistic (.000) indicate no effect size (cohen,1988). Thus, it can be said that the difference between all male and all female score is not statistically significant in post-test. 

Therefore, the null hypotheses, “There is no significant difference in the impact of spiritual folk songs on the level of mental exhaustion among male and females” is accepted and it can be said that listening to spiritual folk songs had a same impact on the males and female samples, which reduce their level of mental exhaustion equally.

Table: 10 showing means, SDs of total number of respondents

	Mean	N	S.D.
Pre-test	44.84	120	9.408
Post-test	31.47	120	8.009

table 2 reveals that the mean of the pre-test was M=44.84, which was later discovered to be M=31.47 during the post-test. The pre-test (M=44.84, SD= 9.408) score exceeds the post-test (M=31.47, SD= 8.009) score. This means that there is a significant difference between pre and post-test scores. 

Table: 11 Paired differences between pretest-posttest of total number of respondents

	Paired Differences					‘t’	df	Sig.
	Mean	S. D.	Std. Error Mean	95% Confidence Interval of the Difference
				Lower	Upper
pretest-posttest	13.375	10.123	.924	11.545	15.205	14.474	119	.000

Significant at 0.01 level of confidence.

Critical value of ‘t’:2.581

According to Table 3 the value of t (119) =14.474 is grater then the critical value (t=2.581). This suggests that the t(119)=14.74 is statistically significant at the 0.01 level of confidence. The mean and standard deviation decline in test scores is M=13.375, SD=10.123 with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 11.545 to 15.205. The P(.000)<0.01 is highly significant and the eta squire statistic (.63) indicate a medium effect size (cohen,1988). Thus, it can be said that the difference between pre and post-test scores is statistically significant. Therefore, it can be said that listening to spiritual folk songs had a significant impact on mental exhaustion of the samples, which reduce their level of mental fatigue.

There is a significant difference between before test and after test, thus the null hypothesis “There is no significant impact of spiritual folk songs on the level of mental exhaustion among male and females”, has been rejected and it can be determined that listening to spiritual folk songs will have a significant impact on the level of mental exhaustion.

Discussion

Spiritual folk music is related to the Supreme Power, or God, through which the qualities of God and the blessings given by God are sung in a musical forum (Singh,2017). This music inspires individuals to be positive and eliminate negative emotions from their minds. For this reason, spiritual folk music has been used as a musical intervention in this study. Although much research has been done on music’s impact on mental exhaustion (Linnemann, 2015; 2016; Witte,2020; Umbrello,2019; Kemper,2005; Harmat,2008), but the current research presents a new and current study on how spiritual folk music can affect mental exhaustion in the current era. 

According to the results of the current study, the level of mental exhaustion among all the participants was very high at the time of the pre-test, whereas a significant decrease was found in the level of mental exhaustion among the participants at the time of the post-test. Consequently, listening to spiritual folk music significantly reduced mental exhaustion among the participants. Apart from this, there was no significant difference found in the post-test outcomes between both men and women. Which indicating that both groups (males and females) were similarly impacted, and their levels of mental exhaustion were found to be significantly reduced. Thus, it can be said that listening to folk music is extremely beneficial in cases of mental exhaustion, which significantly helps to reduce mental exhaustion.

Conclusion 

Based on the findings of current study, it can be concluded that listening to spiritual folk songs helps the mind to reduce negative feelings and enhance the creation of positive emotions. Consequently, individuals experience emotions of spiritual happiness and tranquility in their hearts, which not only provides them with an overwhelming feeling of mental joy but also protects them from many major mental diseases. Therefore, listening to delectable spiritual folk songs has a beneficial impact on a person’s mental fatigue and reduces the level of mental exhaustion.