DIGITAL SOUNDSCAPES OF WELL-BEING: A STUDY OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL OUTCOMES OF MOTIVATIONAL PODCAST CONSUMPTION

Authors

  • Venkatesh M. Full-Time Research Scholar, Department of Communication, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Dr. Sripriya M. Assistant Professor, Department of Visual Communication and Electronic Media, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Rajkamal N. Part-Time Research Scholar, Department of Communication, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i2s.2026.7129

Keywords:

Motivational Podcasts, Positive Psychology, Optimism, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, Tamil Nadu, Digital Well-Being

Abstract [English]

Purpose:


This research examined the effect of motivational podcasts in Tamil on the positive psychological well-being of Tamil college students in Tamil Nadu. It analyses the way in which exposure to motivational audio material, especially Oru Cup Confidence, Maname Nalama, and Leader - Rajmohan can result in optimism, resilience, and self-efficacy through Positive Psychology Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi (2000).


Design/Methodology/Approach:


Quantitative cross-sectional design was adopted and 250 college students of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu were involved. A structured questionnaire on frequency of podcast listening, optimism, resilience and self-efficacy was used to gather data between June and October 2025 on a five-point Likert scale. The correlational and regression analysis was used to study the relationships between the listening to the podcast and well-being outcomes.


Findings:


The findings showed a high positive relationship between motivational podcast listening and psychological well-being (r =.62, p <.001). It was found that optimism, resilience and self-efficacy were greatly predicted by listening frequency (b =.58, p <.001). Emotional stability and goal orientation were higher among regular listeners than occasional and random listeners.


Originality/Value:


This study offers factual information regarding the psychological strength and hope in the minds of young people through Tamil inspirational podcasts. This highlights the promise of vernacular digital media as a tool of mental wellness promotion of students in India that can be affordable and culturally relevant at the same time.

References

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. W. H. Freeman.

Berry, R. (2016). Podcasting: Considering the Evolution of the Medium and its Association with the Word “Radio.” The Radio Journal: International Studies in Broadcast and Audio Media, 14(1), 7–22. https://doi.org/10.1386/rjao.14.1.7_1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1386/rjao.14.1.7_1

Bäuerle, A., Jahre, L., Teufel, M., Jansen, C., Skoda, E.-M., and Dörrie, N. (2023). Feasibility and Efficacy of a Digital Resilience Training: A Pilot Study of the Strengths-Based Resilience Training “RESIST.” Internet Interventions, 32, Article 100620. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2023.100620 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2023.100620

Dascombe, E. M., Morgan, P. J., Drew, R. J., Regan, C. P., Turner-McGrievy, G. M., and Young, M. D. (2025). Podcasts in Mental, Physical, or Combined Health Interventions for Adults: Scoping Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 27, Article e63360. https://doi.org/10.2196/63360 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/63360

Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The Role of Positive Emotions in Positive Psychology: The Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218–226. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.218 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0003-066X.56.3.218

Fredrickson, B. L. (2013). Positive Emotions Broaden and Build. In P. Devine and A. Plant (Eds.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology (Vol. 47, 1–53). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-407236-7.00001-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-407236-7.00001-2

König, L. (2021). Podcasts in Higher Education: Teacher Enthusiasm Increases Students’ Excitement, Interest, Enjoyment, and Learning Motivation. Educational Studies, 47(1), 83–99. https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2019.1651695 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2019.1706040

Meden, E., Radovan, M., and Štefanc, D. (2024). Podcasts and Informal Learning: Exploring Knowledge Acquisition and Retention. Education Sciences, 14(10), Article 1129. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14101129 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14101129

Nabi, R. L., Walter, N., Myrick, J. G., Wang, M., and Ekeler, B. (2025). Media Versus Meditation: A Comparison of the Stress-Relieving BenEfits of Multiple Media Experiences. Psychology of Popular Media. Advance Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000623 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000623

Palenque, S. M. (2016). The Power of Podcasting: Perspectives on Pedagogy. Journal of Instructional Research, 5, 4–9. https://doi.org/10.9743/JIR.2016.4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.9743/JIR.2016.1

Rubin, A. M. (2009). Uses and Gratifications. In R. L. Nabi and M. B. Oliver (Eds.), The SAGE Handbook of Media Processes and Effects (147–159). SAGE Publications, Inc.

Saboor, S., Medina, A., and Marciano, L. (2024). Application of Positive Psychology in Digital Interventions for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials. JMIR Mental Health, 11, Article e56045. https://doi.org/10.2196/56045 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/56045

Seligman, M. E. P., and Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive Psychology: An Introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0003-066X.55.1.5

Song, P., Cai, X., Qin, D., Wang, Q., Liu, X., Zhong, M., Li, L., and Yang, Y. (2024). Analyzing Psychological Resilience in College Students: A Decision Tree Model. Heliyon, 10(11), Article e32583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32583 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32583

Yang, J., Huang, H., Deng, M., and Gao, W. (2025). Resilience Under the Chilling Effect: How Social Support and Digital Media Reshape Online Political Participation Among Chinese Youth. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, Article 1634604. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1634604 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1634604

Downloads

Published

2026-03-27

How to Cite

M., V., Sripriya M., & N., R. (2026). DIGITAL SOUNDSCAPES OF WELL-BEING: A STUDY OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL OUTCOMES OF MOTIVATIONAL PODCAST CONSUMPTION. ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts, 7(2s), 31–38. https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i2s.2026.7129