Study Links Heavy Metal Music Listening To Suicide, Depression, Delinquency and Drugs
The Sydney Morning Herald reports: A study, published in today's Australasian Psychiatry journal, found that teens who listen to pop music are more likely to be struggling with their sexuality, those tuning in to rap or heavy metal could be having unprotected sex and drink(sic)-driving, and those who favor jazz are usually misfits and loners, prompting a call for doctors to include musical tastes as a diagnostic indicator in mental health assessments.
"There is no evidence to suggest that the type of music you listen to will cause you to commit suicide, but those who are vulnerable and at risk of committing suicide may be listening to certain types of music," the author of the study, Felicity Baker, said yesterday.
She said an Australian study of year 10 students had shown significant associations between heavy metal music and suicide ideation, depression, delinquency and drug-taking, while an American study had also shown that young adults who regularly listened to heavy metal had a higher preoccupation with suicide and higher levels of depression than their peers.
Deliberate self-harm and attempted suicide was also associated with teenagers who listened to trance, techno, heavy metal and medieval music as part of the goth subculture, while those who attended dance parties were much more likely than their peers to be taking drugs.
Read the full article at Sydney Morning Herald.
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84 Comments on "Study Links Metal Music To Suicide and More"
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5. writes:
Leaving metal more underground than ever!!! My scheme is unfolding exactly as planned, muahahaha.
On a more serious note, a correlation does not equal causation. Clearly there is a certain "type" of person attracted to types of music in many (but not all) cases. I would think it's obvious that metal music doesn't cause suicide, depression, etc. (seems ridiculous) but some people will argue the opposite without any real proof or by twisting findings such as these to fit their own needs.
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9. writes:
Read between the lines of this article-now docs have to include'musical tastes'in YOUR mental 'health' assessment?And this Felicity Baker-what are her credentials?I get angry w/these"experts" in their white coats acting as "authorities" on what makes people tick.Whenever you hear the term 'at risk',it's more than likely some"pschycology""experts" trying to run our lives.Robert Bardo'snapped' after listening to U2's"Exit"&Murdered Actress Rebecca Schaeffer;does anyone put down their music?No,they're sacred cows-if the person's mind is suggestible to begin with,they could listen to ANY kind of music &come unhinged.I listen to hard rock& all kinds of metal all the time-this music doesn't 'depress'me,it energizes me!Never go to a'shrink' for a problem-chances are they're more screwed up than you are& will just make things worse.
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15. writes:
I absolutely agree with Athena... any form of music can trigger a reaction in a person, it depends on the circumstances that person encounters in their lives... I was more suicidal BEFORE I found metal and was still listening to that now junkie, child abandoning train wreck we know as Britney. As to Kalis_wrath... Goth and Emo are a subculture but that doesn't neccessarily mean you need to typecast an entire subculture as being riddled with self deprecating behaviour, every "clique" or subculture has it's own issues, it's as individual as the person who is a part of the whole. Personally I find heavy metal empowering, it gives me strength to confront things that a lot of people would run and hide from. It has meaning, substance and passion.
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17. writes:
No particular style of music can cause suicidal tendencies in a person; that's ridiculous. But, music is a reflection of self - you don't listen to hip-hop if you're feeling down, you don't listen to trance if you're feeling angry. Every type of music has a distinct range of emotions that it doesn't cause, but can definitely enhance. If I'm angry, I'll listen to metal, if I feel like having unprotected sex, I'd probably listen to rap, hahah. But if I'm happy and I listen to metal, I'm not going to become angry because of it. If I'm already angry, metal is likely to heighten that mood, or make me focus on it. So I'd say that no, metal doesn't cause suicide (duh), but can definitely enhance suicidal feelings.
As for post 9, that all seems very generalised, prejudiced, conspiracy-theorist, and, well, silly. Why would psychologists want to run people's lives? They get paid to study human behaviour and make logical, well-reasoned conclusions (something you don't seem to be doing much of) - at the end of the day, what happens with those studies they do? For the most part, barely anything. Usually they just spark a bunch of slightly different studies and are added to the archives. And the psychologists that did the study in the first place? Are they then running people's lives? Nope, they're off doing another study to get their next paycheck.
Studies like this tend to be done for the government (ie funded by government grants), so if you're looking for some sort of evil entity behind all this, look their way. I guess what I'm saying is, do a bit of research before you claim researchers are evil, hahah.
Kali - "This sounds like an attempt at trying to get parents to freak out about their kids listening to alternative music again" - I'll quote the article: "teens who listen to pop music are more likely to be struggling with their sexuality". Yes, alternative music was examined, but it was not singularly focused on. That whole judgement is completely unfair.
I want to know what people like me, who listen to all types of music are supposed to be like according to this research. Do I have all the problems?? hahah
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18. writes:
Well a suicidal person listening to Leonard Cohen could kill herself as much as somebody listening to the back street boys. They hate metal, they always did and always will. The blame everything on metal because they refuse to look at themselves in the mirror and see their shortcomings as a society, parents, siblings and teachers. It's always easier to blame it on something else than admit that you are doing a suck a$$ job at raising a child into this world.
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21. writes:
So, I wonder something: I'm a woman. If I listen to a steady diet of country music, would I be more inclined to date beer swilling, wife beating, NASCAR driving redneck racists? Just curious.
It's interesting to note that another "study" done recently (I WISH on Odin's good eye I had the link to the article) showed a correlation between teens who listened to heavy metal and their mathematical aptitude (which was far above the norm), much like those who listened to classical music. The study noted those who were active musicians in these two types of music tended to score higher on mathematical aptitude tests than their peers who listened to other types of music. The study actually said that they found "no difference in aptitude" between the kids that listened to metal and those that listened to classical, and opined that the technicality of both styles of music contributed to the students' abilities on maths related subjects.
So there.
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22. writes:
I'm with Psythe. My musical tastes range from medieval (which apparently makes me goth) to most forms of classical to jazz to folk to metal to punk to country to Bob Marley to whatever Velvet Acid Christ is. Does all that make me a sexually confused suicidal stoner who doesn't fit in anywhere?! Anyway, that's all the thought I'm going to put into this.
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23. writes:
This study links Australian Scientists to totally being out of touch with their children. That's all. As far as I'm concerned heavy metal helped me to NOT murder someone. Heavy metal helped me in a lot of ways. A lot more than australia. What the f*** does australia know anyways? The queen's still on their money, and that's like if Hitler was on Poland's money. f*** 'em. If they knew anything, they'd have more of a historical output than three comedy movies and two sh**ty pro wrestlers, anyways.
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25. writes:
It's been said plenty already, but you can't judge a person's mental condition and/or stability based on the kind of music that person listens to. I listen to black and death metal and I'm quite happy, thank you. Though I have to say the part about teens listening to pop struggling with their sexuality does give me a chuckle.. what male teens listen to pop anyway?? It seems most people around here are into (c)rap or country (c*ntry, if you ask me).
Now playing - Carcass - "No Love Lost"
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26. writes:
lol well russia seems to know whats up, banning emo and all trying to curb the suicide trend in that country.
I do think that emo is linked to suicides, when you see a headline in a paper about a kid killing himself, or on this sites case, that dummy from chiodos, most of them have those strange greasy haircuts and wear makeup. You take an already mentally unstable person and make them listen to hawthorne heights with that line "cut my wrists" and sh**, what are these silly people going to do?
27. writes:
It's funny how this bull is actually not "news" it's f***in propaganda if ya ask me. Anyone that listens to any kind of music is at risk of suicide due to threads in your personality and the events in your life! As many of u had said, music is a form of expression of self that says alot about you. Plus, most people that listen to metal are interested in many other forms of music, (such as myself.)
One guy suffered in the hospital for something and nothin but Iron Maiden albums got him through
Another guy herd "Suicide Solution" and he commited suicide because he was a stupid dumb fukk
Music is everything and nothing, and people along w/their actions do what they do.
Metal has nothin' to do with suicide, depression ect....it helps....the truth is WE ARE THE EXPERTS BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY LISTEN TO METAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Takes a sip of her margarita n gives the "studies" the middle finger) hehehe
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28. writes:
A and B regularly occur together. Therefore A is the cause of B. That's basically all the study proves, and ignorant jump to a hasty conclusion. I listen to metal, because in my mind it takes the most all around talent to pull together a metal group. The way I see it. Metal has always been the underdog in the music industry. Even at it's height during the early to mid 80s metal was still being dominated by the other music genres. If anything I think metal teaches you the exact opposite about life. It teaches you to hold on to what you've got, because metal musicians have always struggled to get to where they want to go. So when they finally get a piece of the spotlight, they keep it. Same goes for your life and how you treat it. Your not going to throw it away so easily because more than often you've worked to get where you are. Whether it be a somebody or a nobody, your happy with what you have.
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29. writes:
It isn't if you listen to metal, you have a high chance of killing yourself. It's if you are suicidal, self-injure, etc.., you have a high chance of listening to metal. It's not dissing metal at all. It makes perfect sense. Like psythe had said a while back. Music is a reflection of self. So if your suicidal or other of the like, you would want to listen to music that mirrors that.
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30. writes:
UH OH! Looks like im completely f***ed... I listen to all kinds of music, with the exception of country.
What a load of horse sh**... people need to learn about music and the meaning of it before judging. This woman is probably someone who doesn't listen to music, or listens to country. I don't see country listed anywhere in there...
Unfortunately some people will actually believe this article.
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33. writes:
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35. writes:
I think a reason why Metal, alcohol, and drugs go together is that some people crave excitement. Chior music, Classical, New Age, etc. might be beutiful music but how dull is that? If you want your brain entertained you can't do much better than Metal. Excitement cravers are also the type that entertain their brains with chemicals.
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43. writes:
This is rediculous.When are the Scientist Doctors and even more than that Evangelist's & politician's gonna cut it the f*** out?If it was'nt Metal it would be Hip Hop.And when it's not music it would be Porn.I recently watched a documentary about DEEP THROAT.Do you know the Federal Government was actually about to put a man(actor porn stud whatever)in jail for getting a blow job.BEHOLD LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK !!!!
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50. writes:
Mozart... He hurts me. Some of his stuff is brilliant - well, it's all brilliant, it's just a bit too Courtroom for me. Like, written to the whims of the Kings and Queens. I prefer Beethoven, with all his freelancing and self-reflection. But Schubert! Now there is the godfather of metal! Liszt, also, had his heavy moments :)
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51. writes:
Never been much into classical.The closest I get is Southern Blues.(metal's other big influence)However I do acknowledge it's importance.It's actually more my buddies speed.He's played piano since he was six.Really big on the 3 B's.I got stuck on a 2hr road trip to Toronto with him ounce.NEVER AGAINE!!!!!!!!
52. writes:
"while an American study had also shown that young adults who regularly listened to heavy metal had a higher preoccupation with suicide and higher levels of depression than their peers."
This is bullsh**. I get my depression from GENETICS. der.
Jesus f***ing christ......it just never ends with these people......
does anyone else smell propaganda in the air??
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53. writes:
Kali your a girl I'd expect nothing less.Just trying to make a point is all.Besides I'm sure you'll agree that whether on film or not.As long as both parties are concenting to the activity theres nothing wrong with it.So to send someone to jail for saide concensual act is a bit extreme to say the least.If the government keep's this up.People will be going to jail on there Honeymoon knight.
54. writes:
i think there's an interesting link between metal and classical: it's called TALENT.
classical's in a class of its own, cos it's not being written as much if at all any more, meaning these so called "scientists" are just afraid that metal will take over the world because, as my name states, METAL IS AWESOME and BETTER THAN ANYTHING ELSE that modern society can produce, so the scientists are trying to turn said retarded society against lovers of true music.
p.s. in case i didn't clarify METAL RULES!!!!!!!!!!!
55. writes:
they probably don't realise that metal divides into dozens of different subgenres - in fact, they probably count emos as metal. to quote beloved george fisher, "they deserve to die" if that is true. the emos, as we all know, are by far the most suicidal. i mean, who wouldnt want to kill themselves after hearing how crappy emo music is, and specifically, fallout boy's insulting covers of pantera's walk and mj's beat it?
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57. writes:
the erlking is awesome! im a classical fan...baroque being my favorite. vivaldi has become one of my favorite composers recently, he's written some pretty heavy stuff (lightning fast, emotionally grabbing and very minor), but a lot of light and airy stuff that's a bit too major for my tastes.
liszt was a phenomenal player and very progressive, but his work hasnt quite grown on me yet.
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58. writes:
Blackdog, the most rediculis law I ever heard of is that in Pa its illegal for a man to get a b.j, but its not for a woman to get eaten out! Furthermore its illegal to have anal intercorse in that state. In my opinion, if all are of age and such the government should butt out!
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59. writes:
^Vivaldi's Seasons are in my top ten classical pieces... all four of them! :) Baroque is goooooood.
A more modern composer (around the 1940's, I think) worth a mention is Dmitri Shostakovich. Classical music is still alive and well, still being composed, and there are actually schools dedicated to teaching it. The difference is that classical used to be the popular form of music, whereas now hip-hop is popular and classical is largely unknown to contemporary youth. You could say 'Beethoven' or 'Mozart' to them, and they'd have heard the words before, and could probably even tell you they were musicians, but would likely know very little more than that. The classical scene has taken a very shaded background, and appears to be fairly well hidden, but if you look for it, it's there, still waltzing.
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61. writes:
Baroque is the sh** :P Actually the only real type of classical I'm interested in. And it also has the best influence on metal. My favourites are Bach (well who's isn't) and Handel. Chopin also has some great works. "Tocatta & Fugue in D" and "Bouree in Em" are probably tops for me. Anything classical and contrapuntal I normally take to like a duck to water, I think that's half the reason Cynic are such a great band.
Don't think I've checked Vivaldi out before though, guess I will have to now :)
Now Playing: The Lord Weird Slough Feg - "Heavy Metal Monk"
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62. writes:
^You would have heard parts of Vivaldi's Seasons before, but just not known. They're very famous pieces, the type that always get bits of them used in movies and such. You know, like, they play that familiar bit of 'Spring' while showing flowers and fields and birds and sh** lol. Kinda like Beethoven's 9th or Mozart's 40th, even people that couldn't tell you the title or the composer would recognise familiar bits of the pieces.
Mozart hurts me in that, while I can see the genius in his work, I just can't enjoy most of his work. I keep trying because it's obviously very good, but he just somehow doesn't do it for me. I sit there going, 'wow, the guy was a creative genius!' but at the same time I'm bored out of my brains hahah.
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63. writes:
Like I saide EXTREME !!!
Interesting note.The actor in question is apparently a reverend now.
In any event.I just never really got into classical.Even though what is now conciderd METAL is really steeped in it as well as old school blues.Depending on the band region & time frame that your discussing.
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64. writes:
dvorak was also another great composer. i caught the Des Moines Symphony last october perform a concert called "Symphonic Haunts" where they performed a bunch of super minor kick a$$ classical stuff. the two dvorak pieces they played were my favorite. f***ing awesome!
im not too familiar with many modern composers (1920's- present). other than movie score composers.
cynic - if you're familiar with the "25 (insert composer name) Favorites" series, i would definately get the vivaldi one. its REALLY good. it only has a few movements from the four seasons though, but definately worth checking out. i got cheap mine cheap on amazon.
now playing: stormwitch - point of no return
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66. writes:
"Blackdog, the most rediculis law I ever heard of is that in Pa its illegal for a man to get a b.j, but its not for a woman to get eaten out! Furthermore its illegal to have anal intercorse in that state."
Why is it illegal for doing something natural? What kind of a world is this?
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67. writes:
The first thing you gotta understand is.This country was founded by protestant's.Alot of law's that we have now that seem to be out of place or out dated actually go that far back into this country's history(sadomy law's).I know New York state actually got rid of theirs or atleast are in the process of it.A really interesting story I read about back in 92,93 somwhere in there.A gulf war vet had custody of his kid's because he caught his wife cheating.So he automaticly got custody.His wife got him arrested & therefore regained custody.By seduceing him & getting him to give her oral sex.He was arrested because that is illegal in that state.(either south carolina or virginia)
The truth of the matter is these so called survey's are just self serving project's for politicians & the over zealous Church leader's to gaine power by playing on peoples fears.So in other word's If your kid's like music they'll grow up to be drug addicted criminal fornicator's.That's why I hate hearing about this stuff it's almost alway's barely relevant.
68. writes:
I don't see why people tend to hate what they don't know... Obviously the dude who did this, or dudes, had too much free time. But it's common practice to bash Metal, as it is to bash many musical genres that appeal to a select few. Obviously this hatred is born of fear and such, but I still don't see the point. I got my mom singing some Edguy songs, as well as other, and she only complains of my Doom/Black/Death now, she likes Power and some Heavy...
I think that open-minded people can't dislike Metal, there's a little niche for everyone... There's MONKS with Metal bands. Maybe this study didn't take that into consideration... And priests that play Carcass during the mass. I hate religion, because it's a fact that most of them are retarded, and make religion retarded, but there are intelligent religious people that don't feel suicidal, and like Metal...
Sigh, just another cereal-box survey, obviously.
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69. writes:
"Why is it illegal for doing something natural? What kind of a world is this?" - Because sex is as natural as murder, rape, hate crimes etc.
I couldn't care less about this study, metal will always be misrepresented, persecuted, p***ed on by the media and they will always be ignorant. Who gives a f*** what they think.
Now Playing: Meshuggah - "In Death -- Is Death"
71. writes:
I believe here in Florida it's actually illegal to do any other position other than misionary. :O
(kindof ironic considering rumors of what goes on in prsion; you could be in there indefinitely!)
Psychologist are batsh** crazy, I should know, I'm studying to be one! There are actually a bunch of reasons why this study shouldnt even be taken seriously, but don't I think anybody on here really needs an explanation on the invalidity of psychological studies; you all don't seem to give a f*** anyway!
Now Playing: Gorrilaz- "Dirty Harry"
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75. writes:
Heh, I'm also Iowan. I'm actually learning God is My Shephard by Dvorak right now. But my favorites are Rachmaninov, Schubert, Bach, Tchaikovsky, and Beethoven. Asia has some interesting classics too. But as far as contemporary classical, look to the movies. That's pretty much where it goes.
76. writes:
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78. writes:
I remember years ago.Al Gore's wife was on the PMRC at the time.She was on some talk show with a music executive.Debateing the banning of explicit lyric's on recording's.She had saide something about how Sheena Easton had so many song's with explicit lyric's.The executive asked her to name one explicit song that Sheena had done before Prince started writeing song's for her.To make a long story short Mrs. Gore whent beat red.The debate ended there & she never appeard on television concerning the subject againe.These are the people that come up with this crap.They usually have no idea what the f*** they are talking about.
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83. writes:
It's totally depend on what kind of metal music. Now a days a bulk of any kind sounds called metal music and the True Metal Emperors like Great Chuck Schuldiner are forbidden. on the other hand many of the metal music fans are like some typical behavior not the soul of the true metal. They should survey on true metal brothers. not this huge bulk of wrong bothers,,,
84. writes:
Human being is consisted of a complex structure which can not only be defined or judged according to some fixed rules of behaviour and notions. It may be true that more than 90% of metal fans are just crazy but you can not name all of them as this. This what I see according to statistics and experience. So everything has got its own exceptions. But generally speaking yeah I believe this is true because metal music is simultaneously a great useful music and an extremely dangerous one too. As "Chuck" says, "When something's big it tends to get out of control." And this is what happens for metal music because this music is a great one and we have to expect a large number of people either the fans or the bands going astray in this genre. It's a sequential process, good doesn't always lead to good nor bad to bad. Live the good life. Cherish your life. :-)
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1. Chupacabra_hunter writes:
oh Crap... does this mean we are all going to kill ourselves? what happens to metal underground then? who will run it?