Teens Who Choose Music Over Books Are More Likely to Be Depressed, Study Finds

[kennyc]

ScienceDaily (Apr. 4, 2011) — Adolescents who spend more time listening to music are far more likely to have major depressive disorder, while young people who spend more time reading books are far less likely to have such a diagnosis, according to a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study published in the April edition of the journal Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0404161817.htm

[DixieGal]

I dunno. It seems like the method was even less accurate than phase 1. Two questions that immediately come to mind are 1) What were they listening to?, and 2) What were they reading?

There is no control group listening to a specific playlist or reading list.

I dunno. I hope tax money didn't support this project. But my experience runs to medical research, so maybe this is a standard approach to a pilot program in psychological research?

[queentess]

Researchers called the participants as many as 60 times during five extended weekends over two months and asked them to report if they were using any of six types of media: television or movies, music, video games, Internet, magazines or newspapers, and books.

So... if they listened to music, the music must be the cause of the depression? Or, maybe depressed students are more likely to be drawn to music? Or are they listening to angsty music, which is more appealing than reading a book? You can also zone out (a desired state when depressed) while listening to music, whereas (I think) it takes more effort to read. Depression can also cause concentration issues... another reason to maybe prefer music to books.

[GeoffC]

pinch of salt

What about teenagers who listen to Goth music while reading vampire novels?

[fjtorres]

The music lovers just need to listen to more ABBA and less Kurt Cobain.

[Worldwalker]

One symptom of major depression is ceasing to enjoy things that one normally enjoys. In other words, if you normally like reading, depression will make you not particularly enjoy it or want to do it. However, music is easy. No effort required. It makes for a good background sound track, especially when you don't feel like doing much of anything else.

I know from personal experience that I listen to more music, and grimmer music, when I'm less cheerful. When I'm "up" I want to do things, write things, and, yes, read a book; I tend not to bother with music. When I'm "down" I'd rather throw on some music that mirrors my mood and stare at the walls or draw disturbing pictures.

So, for what anecdotal evidence is worth, I can say that yes, there is a correlation between music and mood in my case -- but the causation goes the other way.

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

The music lovers just need to listen to more ABBA and less Kurt Cobain.

Or the Moody Blues .....

[fjtorres]

The problem with all these demonizing studies that pop up in the media twice a week is that most ignore that correlation does not imply causation. And few if any publicize the sample size and methodology (or the source of their funding) as much as their conclusions.

[OtterBooks]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

The problem with all these demonizing studies that pop up in the media twice a week is that most ignore that correlation does not imply causation. And few if any publicize the sample size and methodology (or the source of their funding) as much as their conclusions.

"At this point, it is not clear whether depressed people begin to listen to more music to escape, or whether listening to large amounts of music can lead to depression, or both. Either way, these findings may help clinicians and parents recognize links between media and depression,"

In this case they don't appear to be making conclusions regarding causation. Finding correlation is always the first step, no matter what cause is determined. At this point that's all they've done. "Finding a link" can be helpful even if the link isn't causative (can be used as a warning sign, etc).

[Anthem]

Considering how well everyone (so far) deconstructed these results and their methodologies in the comments above I'd say the study peeps might be best off committing suicide at this point. They clearly cannot perform their jobs adequately and an instant afterlife or rebranding of their purpose in life may be in order.

[OtterBooks]

Originally Posted by Anthem

Considering how well everyone (so far) deconstructed these results and their methodologies in the comments above I'd say the study peeps might be best off committing suicide at this point. They clearly cannot perform their jobs adequately and an instant afterlife or rebranding of their purpose in life may be in order.

You should be a therapist.

[Nyssa]

Just the title alone had me calling foul - I didn't need to read the article. Speaking from personal experience, from my middle school years (approx age 11) to the end of my teens, I had my Walkman, or CD player attached to my ears. My parents asked me on more than one occasion if I needed to have my earphones surgically removed. Although I did read a lot during those years, my music consumption far out paced my reading. Any feelings of depression I felt had everything to do with life situations and absolutely nothing to do with the music.

[wyndslash]

i tend to listen to more music when i'm down, but music by itself doesn't make me depressed. sure, sad music makes me sad, but it never made me depressed

[doreenjoy]

Teenagers are likely to be depressed? Now that's news!