Citation

Scheel KR, Westefeld JS. Adolescence 1999; 34(134): 253-273.

Affiliation

Department of Educational Psychology, University of Oklahoma, Norman 73019, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Libra Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10494975

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between preference for heavy metal music and vulnerability to suicide among 121 high school students. Heavy metal fans had less strong reasons for living (especially male fans) and had more thoughts of suicide (especially female fans). For a large majority, listening to music (all types) had a positive effect on mood. Overall, the results indicate that preference for heavy metal music among adolescents may be a "red flag" for increased suicidal vulnerability, but also suggest that the source of the problem may lie more in personal and familial characteristics than in any direct effects of the music. Implications for intervention and for future research are discussed.

Language: en