Women aged 40 to 65 see clubbing as positive force in mental health
The study found that nights out are widely associated with positive effects on mental wellbeing
Women aged between 40 and 65 experience notable mental health benefits from clubbing, according to a resurfaced study from the University of Leeds.
Published in April 2025 in the journal Psychology of Music, the research explored “older women’s motivations” for attending dance music events, alongside their broader experiences on the club circuit.
Surveying 136 female clubbers aged 40 and above, the study found that nights out are widely associated with positive effects on mental wellbeing.
Participants reported that clubbing offers a release from the pressures of everyday life and serves as a meaningful outlet for self-expression, with 92.1% agreeing that they feel a strong sense of belonging at dance music events.
Among those surveyed, the majority (81.6%) said they have been attending electronic music events for more than two decades, while 91.2% noted that they go out between four and six times per year at minimum.
Almost all respondents (91%) said that clubbing contributes positively to their overall sense of wellbeing, while around two-thirds (65.2%) reported using drugs to enhance the experience.
More than half (58.1%) said they had received “positive comments” from fellow clubbers, although over 20% admitted they occasionally feel out of place due to their age.
While most respondents (84.5%) said they primarily attend club nights, a significant number also frequent festivals (81.6%), and a smaller proportion (25.7%) reported attending illegal raves.
Reflecting on the findings, one 53-year-old participant said that shared musical tastes and recreational habits foster a sense of mutual understanding that effectively dissolves age-related barriers.
