Can music adversely affect behavior? A recent study examined the relationship between the intensity of emotional response to music and risk-taking behavior in adolescents. In the study, participants completed a written survey about music preference, emotional response to music using the Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and a variety of health-risk behaviors. The results showed that health-risk behavior was correlated with increasing emotional response to music, whether those emotions were positive or negative. Strong negative, emotional response to music in particular was correlated with a history of greater risky behavior, particularly among whites. Study authors concluded that subjects who experience strong negative emotions to music are at an increased risk of participating in a variety of risk-taking behaviors. Journal of Adolescent Health 1998;23(1):49-54.

Last Modified 23 March 2000