• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.31-49
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• 2024

The stress experienced by employees on international deployment has serious implications for their physical and mental health as well as their work performance. This study aimed to investigate the impact of resource-oriented music listening on work-related stress among employees on international deployment. The study recruited 10 participants of varying ages and occupations who had worked abroad for at least three years and conducted five personalized resource-oriented music listening sessions along with interviews. The Global Assessment of Recent Stress Scale (GARS) and Job Stress Scale (JSS) were used to measure stress levels before and after the intervention. Results showed that participants' work-related stress and perceived stress were significantly reduced following the music therapy intervention. The study also found that "awareness of own's life situation" and "self-acceptance of here and now emotional challenges" were factors that reduced regulatory stress among employees on international deployment. This study highlights the potential of resource-oriented music listening as a useful tool for managing workplace stress and promoting the well-being of expatriate employees.