The PERMA model, well-being and Whoop-Up: A musical variety show for adult members of a school community

Abstract

The positive impact of group music-making on subjective well-being has been shown in various contexts, yet very few studies have focused on community musicals. The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to explore the well-being of adults who participated in Whoop-Up, a musical variety show consisting of singing, dancing and acting, for parents, staff members, alums, alums’ parents and friends of a primary school. Data were explored through the lens of the PERMA framework. Twenty-one adults aged between 21 and 75 involved in Whoop-Up in 2018 volunteered to participate in the study. The findings indicate that participants experienced positive benefits in all the sub-domains of subjective well-being according to the PERMA framework. Meaning was the most salient dimension, followed by Engagement, Relationship, Positive Emotions and Accomplishment. The findings suggest that participation in Whoop-Up may impart a deep sense of meaning for participants, embedded in positive emotions, which could foster strong interpersonal relationships between parents, teachers, alums and the school environment as a whole.