Can personality affect the prediction of music preference for externalising behaviour in adolescence?

Abstract

Non-mainstream music styles (i.e. Intense and Rebellious, and Energetic and Rhythmic) have shown in previous studies to predict externalizing behaviour like aggression and delinquency (e.g. ter Bogt, Keijsers, & Meeus, 2013). The current study explored the underlying mechanism of the media effects of music preference, with help of the differential susceptibility to media effects model (DSMM; Valkenburg & Peter), by investigating whether personality can amplify the prediction of music preference for delinquent and aggressive behaviour. Data were used from the longitudinal conflict and management of relationships study (CONAMORE; N = 1257; 48% boys; Mage = 15.57). The findings showed that, after controlling for gender and education, a preference for Energetic and Rhythmic music predicted aggressive behaviour. Other music styles in this study were not significant predictors for delinquent or aggressive behaviour. Furthermore, in this study personality did not amplify the prediction of music preferences. As extra, all music genres were analysed on predicting both behaviours. Each behaviour was predicted by seven different genres, with three overlapping. New questions arise, for example: do different music genres, instead of music styles, predict different types of behaviour? Future research is needed to gain more knowledge about media-effects for future policies to be effective.