Comparing the effect of heavy metal versus rock music on affect shifts of psychiatric inpatient adolescents

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of listening to heavy metal music on affect shifts of hospitalized adolescents, and to determine the relationship between music preference and shifts in affect. Additionally, primary diagnoses of the subjects were examined in relation to type of music and subsequent affect shifts. The recent controversy over heavy metal music and the increasing teen involvement suggested the need for the study. 35 Subjects -- 21 females and 14 males -- from a psychiatric facility in Dallas, Texas participated in the study, with ages ranging from 12 to 18. The study consisted of three "treatments": a baseline condition and two music conditions of heavy metal music and "mainstream" popular music. Short-term fluctuations in mood were measured before and after music listening, and music preference was assessed using a rating sheet completed during testing. Overall, no significant pre-post differences were found in the affect shifts of the subjects. However, when grouped according to music preference, significant increases in positive affect were found for those subjects preferring heavy metal music after listening to heavy metal music resulting in increased states of high energy, concentration, and pleasure. However, the affect of those preferring mainstream rock did not show a parallel shift after listening to rock music. Subjects' primary diagnosis had no significant bearing on shifts in affect after music listening.

Keyword(s): Heavy-metal, rock-and-roll-music, affect, psychiatric-patient, adolescent.

Zurück | Weiter