Study says heavy metal fans grow up to be better adjusted adults

[Norm_The_Robot]

eddietrunk.com/new-study-says-heavy-metal-fans-grow-up-to-be-better-adjusted-adults/

NEW STUDY SAYS HEAVY METAL FANS GROW UP TO BE BETTER ADJUSTED ADULTS

July 8, 2015 Metal fans reportedly grow up to be happier and better adjusted adults than many fans of other genres, a study has suggested.

The research published by Taylor & Francis Online sought to test the validity of studies carried out in the 1980s which claimed fans of bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Black Sabbath were at risk of “poor developmental outcomes.”

And, Pacific Standard reports, the new research finds that most of the metal fans who took part in the study “were significantly happier in their youth, and better adjusted currently” compared to peers who were into other music.

The team was led by Humboldt State University psychologist Tasha Howe, who says, “Metal enthusiasts did often experience traumatic and risky ‘sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll’ lives. However, the metalhead identity also served as a protective factor against negative outcomes. Despite the challenges of adverse childhood events, and other stressful and risky events in their youth, they reported higher levels of youthful happiness. They were also less likely to have any regrets about things they had done in their youth.”

The study also reports that those who focused on types of music outside of heavy metal “sought psychological counselling for emotional problems more than any other group, indicating a less happy and fulfilling perspective on their 1980s adolescence.”

The research would appear to make a mockery of high-profile 1980s campaigns against the metal lifestyle, run by organizations such as Tipper Gore’s Parents Music Resource Centre. Metal in the 80s was often frivolously linked to devil worship, drug abuse and suicide.

Spotify recently named metal fans as the most loyal of all listeners.

 

[Polycarp1]

Kind of hard to believe as the research is no doubt questionable. In any case a “Well adjusted” adult in the secular world may be mal-adjusted spiritually and not on the path to the spiritual world to come.

 

[marymary1975]

I used to be a big time heavy metal fan and I ended up very well adjusted. I also have several friends who where hard core fans like that ended up well. However I have to say that I know plenty of other heavy metal friends and peers that did not end up that well adjusted. I think that was dependant on many different factors. Also I have to say that a common factor that I found on the ones that did end up well adjusted was that none ever experimented drugs (or if did once and that was it) and were not into heavy drinking. Must say that all the ones I knew that were doing drugs ended up not that well.

 

[ProdglArchitect]

I used to be a big time heavy metal fan and I ended up very well adjusted. I also have several friends who where hard core fans like that ended up well. However I have to say that I know plenty of other heavy metal friends and peers that did not end up that well adjusted. I think that was dependant on many different factors. Also I have to say that a common factor that I found on the ones that did end up well adjusted was that none ever experimented drugs (or if did once and that was it) and were not into heavy drinking. Must say that all the ones I knew that were doing drugs ended up not that well.

This is pretty much my experience as well. I listened to a lot of goth and symphonic metal in high school, still do actually. I had a lot of metalhead friends that turned out awful, and a lot that turned out fine. their outcomes seemed to have a lot more to do with the family life than the music they listened to.

 

[Memaw]

Kind of hard to believe as the research is no doubt questionable. In any case a “Well adjusted” adult in the secular world may be mal-adjusted spiritually and not on the path to the spiritual world to come.

My thoughts exactly!! God Bless, Memaw

 

[Midwest88]

The standard for being “well-adjusted” in today’s modern world is rather low.

1. Don’t judge others.
2. Don’t physically or mentally harm others.
3. Don’t be any of the following: racist, sexist, homophob, global warming denier

Yep, pretty low standards. It’s sort of like secularists saying they don’t need God because they haven’t killed anyone.

 

[marymary1975]

This is pretty much my experience as well. I listened to a lot of goth and symphonic metal in high school, still do actually. I had a lot of metalhead friends that turned out awful, and a lot that turned out fine. their outcomes seemed to have a lot more to do with the family life than the music they listened to.

I agree worh you. It depends more on family life and surrounding circumstances than the type of music.

 

[Memaw]

I agree worh you. It depends more on family life and surrounding circumstances than the type of music.

Good reason why we need to protect and promote good family life as well as decent music. (And many other things as well) Teach them to be a part of God’s Family too. God Bless, Memaw

 

[punisherthunder]

Not to sound self absorbed, but I’m a level headed, professional business man in life. At times in speaking with some people, they quip about certain muscial artists and ask if I listen to them.

You can imagine the shock when I candidly show them my Pandora radio list from my iPhone with channels dedicated to bands like Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Marilyn Manson, and Cradle of Filth.

 

[mrbean007]

I will just leave this thread with two thoughts for consideration:

1. Not all metal is Satanic. There’s plenty of good and decent metal out there, and it’s not hard to find.
2. mic.com/articles/87385/science-reveals-something-surprising-about-metal-fans-and-classical-music-lovers

An excerpt:

"Metalheads actually embody a peaceful nature far removed from public perception. “The general public has held a stereotype of heavy metal fans being suicidally depressed and a danger to themselves and society in general,” Adrian North, a Heriot-Watt University professor who studies genre listeners, told the Guardian. “But they are quite delicate things.” In fact, they’re exactly like classical fans.

This delicate nature stems from a combination of traits, which North’s study was able to nail down. He found that metal listeners were above all else creative, at ease with themselves and introverted — qualities he also found in classical listeners. “Aside from their age, they’re basically identical,” North said. This gentle and creative persona allows both listeners to then freely encounter nontraditional occurrences (like non-mainstream music) with a more open mind than their peers."

 

[SilverLight]

I used to be a big time heavy metal fan and I ended up very well adjusted. I also have several friends who where hard core fans like that ended up well. However I have to say that I know plenty of other heavy metal friends and peers that did not end up that well adjusted. I think that was dependant on many different factors. Also I have to say that a common factor that I found on the ones that did end up well adjusted was that none ever experimented drugs (or if did once and that was it) and were not into heavy drinking. Must say that all the ones I knew that were doing drugs ended up not that well.

Agreed I have an ex boyfriend who liked metal and stuff like that. His social skills seemed to lack a little though other factors had a play in that also. I like a few bands my self and I turned out alright. It really depends on the individual and how they live their life I think. Other factors play a big part also.

 

[ProVobis]

The standard for being “well-adjusted” in today’s modern world is rather low.

1. Don’t judge others.
2. Don’t physically or mentally harm others.
3. Don’t be any of the following: racist, sexist, homophob, global warming denier

Yep, pretty low standards. It’s sort of like secularists saying they don’t need God because they haven’t killed anyone.

I was thinking along the same lines. I would have asked “better adjusted to what or whom, other heavy metal fans?”

The one doing the study is obviously a heavy metal fan.

 

[InNomineDomini]

… dedicated to bands like Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Marilyn Manson, and Cradle of Filth.

I wish I had your restraint: bands like those led me into quite a dark place when I was younger.

Serious Catholics listen to CoF without even remotely caring about the heavily satanic lyrics? They’re impossible to understand without a lyric sheet, but still. That doesn’t bother you?

 

[Bruised_Reed]

The standard for being “well-adjusted” in today’s modern world is rather low.

1. Don’t judge others.
2. Don’t physically or mentally harm others.
3. Don’t be any of the following: racist, sexist, homophob, global warming denier

Yep, pretty low standards. It’s sort of like secularists saying they don’t need God because they haven’t killed anyone.

Why do people pooh-pooh studies when they haven’t read the research? Why dismiss the whole idea with posts which kind of make one sound judgmental and reactionary.

Here is what the study defined as “well-adjusted” (in part):

Today, these middle-aged metalheads are middle class, gainfully employed, relatively well educated, and look back fondly on the wild times they lived in the 1980s. In fact, the metal groups were less likely than both comparisons to have regrets about things they did in their youth. Metalheads in general were not significantly more likely to attempt suicide or have sex at earlier ages than other youth, nor were they more likely to miss work due to physical or mental health problems as adults, which departs from earlier work (e.g., Arnett, 1991b). In fact, their middle-aged comparison cohorts were most likely to experience maternal neglect, to seek psychological counseling, and to report having a less happy experience growing up as youth in the 1980s. These findings suggest that fringe style cultures can attract troubled youth who may engage in risky behaviors, but that they also may serve a protective function as a source of kinship and connection for youth seeking to solidify their identity development…

 

[Bruised_Reed]

I was thinking along the same lines. I would have asked “better adjusted to what or whom, other heavy metal fans?”

The one doing the study is obviously a heavy metal fan.

Obviously? Here is the leader of the research team. It’s still not obvious to me.

I’d love to introduce you to friends of mine who are/were metal fans and are amazing people.

 

[ProVobis]

I’d love to introduce you to friends of mine who are/were metal fans and are amazing people.

Amazing to whom? Point is one of bias. What motives would one who dislikes metal have of proving metal fans are the crop of the earth?

 

[Bruised_Reed]

Good reason why we need to protect and promote good family life as well as decent music. (And many other things as well) Teach them to be a part of God’s Family too. God Bless, Memaw

Decent music. Is the only “decent music” church hymns and classical music?

(Note how I used only one ? punctuation mark. It’s effective all by its onsies. This is true of the exclamation point, too. )

 

[ProVobis]

Decent music. Is the only “decent music” church hymns and classical music?

To be fair, someone should do a study on all types of music and not necessarily on its impact on adjustment. There are other attributes worth considering.

 

[Bruised_Reed]

Amazing to whom? Point is one of bias. What motives would one who dislikes metal have of proving metal fans are the crop of the earth?

Most people (not those prone to jealousy) would respect their achievements and enjoy being around them and their families. I’m talking about everyone from SAHMs to PhDs (even a PhD who is a SAHM.)

How about me, who isn’t a metal fan, but is curious about the claims Tipper Gore and the PMRC made back when I was in high school .Wish I would have thought of this myself. You really can’t fathom someone’s curiosity about this? Like I said, I wish I would have thought of this.

 

[Bruised_Reed]

To be fair, someone should do a study on all types of music and not necessarily on its impact on adjustment. There are other attributes worth considering.

Yes. Someone should. It’s an interesting topic especially with arts being cut in schools and how different subcultures, not just with music, create community. The addition of social media also factors in.