Relationships Between Adolescent Psychiatric Diagnoses, Music Preferences, and Drug Preferences

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between music preferences, drug preferences and diagnoses of adolescents in treatment for substance abuse. Fifty-eight adolescents (ages fourteen to seventeen) received and responded to a survey regarding their music preferences and drug preferences. The majority of subjects were male (35) and 23 subjects were female. Mental health diagnoses were obtained from the subjects' medical records. Analysis of the data indicated significant correlations between preferred music and diagnosis (P < .01), drug preference and diagnosis (P < .002), and diagnosis and reason for using drugs (P < .02). Reported reasons for using music and drugs were similar (to relax, to elevate mood, to focus, and to escape reality). Continued research in this area is needed to provide a clearer understanding of how the adolescents may be trying to regulate their psychological, physiological, and emotional needs with their use of music and drugs.