The Relationship of Heavy Metal Music and

Depression, Substance Abuse and Violent

Behavior

Introduction
Music

is a definite stimulator to a
persons emotional and psychological
state as people may relate to the lyrics
or become stimulated by its rendition of
rhythmic beat. It has serve as one of
many determinants of a persons
personality.

 In

this area, many people who have

morbid personalities may lead to
violence, sexual abuse, aggression,
depression and even to suicidal
tendencies that can be linked how they
listen and adopt music genres Rentfrow
(2004)

Thesis statement.
Too

much exposure to heavy metal

music nurtures the risk of depression,
violent behavior and substance abuse.

The genre of Heavy metal has been

observed to affect peoples personality in a
great way. According to Christe (2003) the
content of heavy metal music lyrics evolved
from a society which was very identified
with drug use, changing sexual mores, and
the general social upheaval associated with
the 1960's. The most extreme of these
subsets has been called, among other
things, "acid rock" or "thrash metal.

 In

the world of body building and

contact sports, heavy metal has been of
use. Athletes listen to heavy metal while
working out or before engaging in a
match to draw motivation from heavy
metal which inspires aggression Walser,
(2007).

The research of Lacourse, & Villeneuve,

(2005) came to a finding that effects too
much listening to heavy metal music seems
to focus on displacement functions with
reports that heavy metal music preference
involves mostly messages of rage, loneliness,
and cynicism. Also, the have theorized that
heavy metal music listeners engage in
psychological alienation tendencies and
possess poor social relationships.

 According

to McFerran, (2002) Young

people at risk of depression and people
with violent behavior are more likely to
listen habitually and repetitively to
heavy metal music.

Conclusion
Studies

have found a relationship between various

genres of music and antisocial behaviours,
vulnerability to suicide, and drug use. However,
studies reject that music is a causal factor and
suggest that music preference is more indicative
of emotional vulnerability. A limited number of
studies have found correlations between music
preference and mental health status. More
research is needed to determine whether music
preferences of those with diagnosed mental
health issues differ substantially from the general
adolescent population.

References
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www.jordanbeckett.com/sites/default
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drdouglas.org/drdpdfs/106027_08.pdf
http://
pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/1
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