Music Preferences and the Effect upon Suicide

Abstract

Music is an essential part of young people's lives. A considerable amount of research has demonstrated a correlation between the music preferences and the effect upon suicidal ideations. Certain music genres favor suicidal process (ideation and acting out), for example, young people might fall back on heavy metal music out of resentment or rage, and then the style of music might further depress them. Therefore, there is a pressing need to examine whether preference for certain music genres associates with youth suicide. The purpose of this paper is to address the impact of music preferences on suicidal behavior of individuals, particularly, teenagers.

Music Preferences and the Effect upon Suicide

Thesis Statement: A great deal of association exists between music preferences and suicidality. Music can directly affect psychological moods, which often are a causal element in suicide. Rap music, heavy metal, alternative and country music have been accused of invoking antisocial behaviors including suicide, theft, violence, drug use and promiscuity.

Introduction

Music fulfills diverse functions for individuals; a variety of personal issues can be reflected by music, including identity, values, self-perception, independence & dependence, and connectedness & separateness (Arnett, 1995; Rentfrow & Gosling, 2003; Wells, 1991). Moreover, music helps confrontation to authority and peer relationships' development etc. (Lull, 1992). Music is perceived to control emotions by momentarily permitting an escape from feelings and thoughts or endorsing feelings and thoughts, and releasing repressed anxiety, emotions, anger and energy (Lacourse et. al., 2001; Rustad et. al., 2003). Since it is evident that music is a substantial fragment of the individual' lives, and so of teenagers; it has been suggested by studies that certain music styles are associated with several psychological attributes. Music is regarded as a stimulant to activate the aggressive thoughts, memories, expectations, emotions, and, deteriorates suppressions against violent behavior, desensitizes responses to aggression, and lessens compassion towards victims (Rustad et. al., 2003). A range of antisocial behaviors is correlated with preference for rap music and heavy metal music. Although, if it could not be suggested that such behaviors are caused by music, it could be said that music preference is suggestive of an underlying emotional vulnerability or disturbance. The aim of this paper is to analyze the effect of music preferences upon suicidal behavior of individuals, especially, adolescents.

Discussion & Analysis

In recent years, there has been a lot of interest in the relationship between music preferences and suicidality (Burge et. al., 2002). Musical genres and the related subcultures have often been associated with suicide risk. For instance, the significance of white power rock has been emphasized by Hamm (2004) in his study on American terrorists. Pop-rock music is regarded by Litman & Farberow, (1994) as a precipitating cause in youth suicide. They discussed the case of two youths, who after listening to the album of heavy metal rock band, shot themselves because of the subliminal messages in the songs (Litman & Farberow, 1994). Concerns have been raised by psychologists regarding heavy metal music and possible associations of it with youth ...