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Listening to Lots of Music Could Mean Your Teen is Depressed, Study Shows
Filed under: In The News
Teen depression may lie within their music. Credit: Corbis
In a new study, researchers found teenagers were more likely to be depressed if they spent a lot of time listening to music, while those who read were significantly less depressed, according to NPR.
With depression striking one in 12 teens, according to HealthCentral.com, researchers wanted to create a portrait of what drives this significant mental health issue in teens and set out to do a little detective work, NPR reports.
For five consecutive weekends, a research team at the University of Pittsburgh phoned (more than 60 times) the homes of more than 100 teens asking parents to check on what their teens were up to: Were they on the Internet, splayed on the coach watching TV, hooked up to headphones or reading?
The findings, published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, showed teens who listened to music had an 80 percent increase in odds for suffering from a major depressive disorder, while teens who read decreased their odds by 50 percent, the researchers report.
Music doesn't cause the depression, but it's more likely that teens who are depressed turn to music, versus an active activity such as reading, Brian Primack, a pediatrician at the University of Pittsburgh and the lead author on the study, tells NPR.
"It's more likely that depressed teenagers are turning to music for solace, rather than music being the cause of the mental illness," Primack tells NPR. "They don't feel like doing anything. They don't have a lot of energy, and this is a place where they can go and they don't have to perform."
If a teen is retreating to music, parents might want to take a closer look, Primack tells NPR.
"Depression is harder to discover in young people compared to older people," he adds. "Sometimes the signs and symptoms in adolescence are different. Maybe there's more irritability as opposed to sadness. Music may be a clue that a child needs help."
So, reading may mean a less depressed teen, but few are taking a look at the written word. Less than 2 percent of the teens surveyed said they were reading a book, newspaper or magazine, Primack tells NPR.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 2)
4-09-2011 @ 2:28PM
Jo Ann Johnson said...Then almost everyone is depressed. Most people listen to music on a daily basis. Music caresses the soul.
Reply
4-09-2011 @ 3:05PM
Dennis Larsen said...There's a big difference between hearing and listening to music. when teens are hearing music, it's a diversion from dealing with the really important duties in their lives. I've had students tell me that they can study better with loud music blaring through their ear phones. This is nonsense. The brain doesn't work this way.
When students are listening to music, they are trying to memorize the melodies, the harmonies, the instruments being played. Listening to music is a full time job for the brain.We also need to mention the serious damage to the ears of young people who choose to block out the real world with volumes that can cause permannant hearing loss.
Stix,
Musician for 45 years
Music Teacher for 40 years
4-09-2011 @ 6:13PM
CAV44 said...Everyone IS depressed!
4-09-2011 @ 7:50PM
Lauri-Anne Hammond said...I would think it depends also on the choice of music. Is it music that reinforces an already depressed feeling or music that attempts to change the mood.
My ex-husband used to unwittingly alert me to what I was walking into by his choice - he almost always chose music that would reinforce his current mood - If I came home and the music was angry, I knew before getting in the door it was going to be an "unhappy" time. If the music was upbeat, all was safe.
4-17-2011 @ 2:58PM
Stephanie said...Listening to music, epecially while doing homework, may also indicate that the student is an auditory learner. Music helps auditory learners concentrate when they are doing visual work like reading a textbook or doing math problems. Understanding the role of music or television is improtant for academic success as teens progress through high school and into college.
4-09-2011 @ 3:26PM
Blonde Ambition said...I'd rather see kids with their earbuds on than their loud stupid "me me me amazing me" chatter.
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4-09-2011 @ 11:16PM
Erika said...Music is an escape for most teens (including me, I am obsessed with music from the 60's and the 70's) and if they are depressed, it tends to help them just deal with most of the pains of life. I should know, I have over 665 songs on my MP3. It could be true that kids more involved with music could be depressed, but it could also be that they love music with all their soul and aspire to be an artist.
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4-09-2011 @ 4:03PM
jud5w said...Extreme amounts maybe but it's entertainment too, dance or excercise w/it, sing, thier own time to be with themselves -away to go else where, not eat, organize a seperation for a breather form other things...if you read all day in school, you need a break too. kept from ssocializing which is necessary this way one is still with people, also a connection to other kids when at home for distance nonlonliness and continued stimulation which gives strength. I today, if it weren't for some loud stuff I eat more and get fat AND get DEPRESSED! Brings me back to life instead of excessive thinking, morelike not enough. Thank god for loud music to dance and sing with or just listen. Takes my anger way to to deal w/some things to give me strength and cope. Life is not perfect. Thank god for music.
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4-10-2011 @ 12:39PM
Davids1lilpixie said...This study is a complete load of horsehockey!! I grew up with my number one occupation being reading. There was never a time when my nose was not stuck in a book. And, surprise, surprise, I grew up severely depressed and still battle these demons today. My husband on the other hand spent a good portion of his formative years listening to, wait for it . . . MUSIC and he is the most well adjusted, level headed person there is. So phooey to this so called 'study'.
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4-09-2011 @ 4:56PM
berkthree said...This article is pathetic. Just another way to label normal human behavior as a disorder. Please!!
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4-09-2011 @ 5:13PM
holly said...you've got to be fricken crazy. how much money was spent on this research and it was obviously organized by a depression medicine company. any where you look now a days teenagers and adults are plugged into a music device. who says its all music ever hear of books on tape? people need to stop labeling people and assuming just because i'm not like you doesnt mean im abnormal. BTW I'm a 39 year old female far from being depressed and I'm listening to music as I type this. what does that say? Absolutely nothing. Have a great day.
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4-09-2011 @ 5:21PM
jeez said...This was me for my entire high school career. I was SEVERELY depressed, and music was the only thing that brought me solace. I don't think they're making it clear in this article that teens are using music to alleviate their depression, rather than music being the source, and I know that many people are going to read this and think their children's moods are being caused by what's in their ears.
If you think your teen is depressed, please know that they're just looking for something to make them feel better, and the worst thing you could do is take their music away.
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4-09-2011 @ 5:46PM
Ray Hemphill said...And nobody seems to think about what kind of music?????
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4-09-2011 @ 8:38PM
klili said...The article was badly written. By trying to sensationalize the topic, Ms. Sammons obfuscated it.
The study did NOT say listening to music CAUSED depression, it said listening to music ALL the time -instead of socializing, reading, etc-. was a SIGN of depression.
So if your teen does nothing BUT listen to music, there's an issue in your home. If, on the other hand, your teen listens to music AND socializes, reads, plays an instrument, etc. your teen is probably okay.
And no, the kind of music makes no difference. Rap, hip hop, classical, electronica or folk, the symptom is doing nothing but listening, not what the music sounds like.
4-09-2011 @ 5:42PM
Michael said...OK. If listening to music too much means you may be depressed I'm amazed I haven't jumped off a cliff. Where do these psycho cologists come up with this stuff?.
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4-09-2011 @ 6:15PM
teltech543 said...I think it has to do more with the type of music than the quantity. Most teens listen to rap crap. That stuff will depress anyone. We used to listen to music all the time when we were teenagers back in the late 60's early 70's and we were always happy. But then again we listened to the Beatles and the like. Not some thug from Harlem just trying to make a quick buck on cheap crap.
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4-09-2011 @ 7:15PM
ClockWork said...I'm an up and comming musician. Which wouldn't have been at all possible with out my bouts with saddness and depression as a teen. I blocked the world out with music back then. Eventually, I realized that I should deal with my problems on a more personal level, and when I found my way, I turned it into lyrics. Now people listen to the problems I used to have and they relate with them, and if it helps anyone deal with their personal battles knowing that sombody has been where they are at, then my work is worthwhile. Still to this day I listen to music to help me with the hard times, because in all reality, with music I have a place I can go to.
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4-09-2011 @ 7:40PM
ric said...typical of the psychs. talking nonsense out of both sides of their mouth. they invent music therapy to handle disorders then go and contradict themselves with this new'"scientific discovery" you'd have to be crazy to believe/agree with anything they promote.
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4-09-2011 @ 7:45PM
Mary said...If I were only able to listen to the "music" (rap, heavy metal. singers who can't sing, very loud meaningles noise) available, I would definitely be depressed as well. When they loose their hearing then we will have to wonder why.
Is there a "new" melodic, romantic love song available today?
If one listens to the soothing sounds of classical, smooth jazz, and music from the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, I know they would feel much better and not depressed.
Today, many children do not have stay-at-home mothers, family meals, family puzzles and board game nights, creative projects, time with their extended family, taking part in relaxing family activities by going to museums for art, history, natural history, and science, etc.
Their schedules are FILLED with SPORTS and screaming coaches with very little down time. The competition for SUPERFICIAL THINGS and clothes, and technologic things they cannot share with another person. I see children playing with their small "game pads" all alone instead of viewing and reacting to what is going on around them. Playing a musical instrument or group singing is no longer considered important. This is all contributing to the indifference and dumbing down of our culture. AND, everyone is finally wondering why children are depressed!
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4-09-2011 @ 7:42PM
Kelleigh said...Although my teen doesn't go anywhere without her IPhone and earbuds, I don't think she is depressed. More likely a young music lover obsessed with technology and having the latest ITunes releases. She also reads a lot of young adult fiction, hangs out with friends, plays sports, sings in the choir, writes for the school paper, and does well academically. I honestly believe she is leading a happy typical teen life. Walkmans were popular when I was a teen. My friends and I could be seen flipping over our cassette tapes throughout most days. Same thing happened with portable CD players for the following generation, and boomboxes for the previous. Hopefully, all is well, and the kids don't ruin their hearing. Before we know it they will be listening to music in their cars, blasting home theater systems in their own homes, and using IPods during workouts only.
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