Adolescent uses of audio: Personal music and radio music

Three hundred twenty‐nine college freshmen responded to open‐ended questions about the meanings they interpret from audio sources, specifically their personal music and music they hear on the radio. Personal music was used most often for creating personal identity and values and for coping with difficult situations. Radio music was used as a source of “identity” information, but, more often, it was identified for entertainment, background, or relaxation. The adolescents said they created meaning differently from the different sources.