Empathy and musical reward sensitivity in middle childhood: a psychometric validation of the Barcelona music reward questionnaire in children aged 7–9

Abstract

Introduction Music is a highly rewarding experience, yet individuals differ substantially in how pleasurable they find music. In adults, sensitivity to musical reward has been consistently linked to socio-emotional traits, particularly empathy. However, little is known about whether this association is already present in middle childhood, before music engagement becomes increasingly tied to identity formation and autonomous, self-directed use during adolescence. The present study examined musical reward sensitivity in middle childhood and its relationship with empathy. Methods A sample of 621 children aged 7–9 years completed a child-adapted Italian version of the Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire (BMRQ-MC) and the Empathy Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (EmQue-CA). Confirmatory factor analyses tested the factorial structure of the BMRQ-MC and its measurement invariance across gender. Correlational and regression analyses examined associations of musical reward sensitivity with empathy, musical engagement, and musical ability. Results The original five-factor BMRQ model showed only partial support, with the Musical Seeking subscale displaying poor reliability and weak factor loadings. A four-factor model showed improved fit and measurement invariance across gender. Musical reward sensitivity was positively associated with empathy, particularly affective empathy, and showed a small positive association with musical engagement, whereas objective musical ability was unrelated. Discussion These findings support the psychometric validity of the BMRQ-MC for assessing musical reward sensitivity in middle childhood and suggest that, at this developmental stage, individual differences in musical reward are more closely linked to socio-emotional dispositions and musical engagement than to perceptual musical skills. The study highlights empathy as a key correlate of early musical pleasure and positions music reward sensitivity as a socio-emotionally grounded individual difference relevant to children's developing social functioning.