Relationship between Emotional Regulation and Music Genre Preference in Young Adults

Abstract

This paper studies the relationship between Emotional Regulation and Music Preferences. For this study, a sample of 150 young adults aged between 18-25 years participated (83 Females and 67 Males). Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) by Gross, J.J., & John, O.P. (2003) and Short Test Of Music Preferences (STOMP) by Rentflow, P.J., & Gosling, S. D. (2003) are used to measure the variables. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used for the statistical analysis of the data. The results show a correlation between the emotional regulation strategy and music genre. The use of Cognitive Reappraisal showed a weak positive correlation with the Upbeat and Conventional, Reflective and complex, and Intense and rebellious Music genres and a weak negative correlation with Energetic and rhythmic genres whereas the use of Expressive Suppression showed a weak positive correlation with the Intense and Rebellious, Energetic and Rhythmic music genre and a weak negative correlation with Reflective and Complex and Upbeat and Conventional genres. The implications are discussed.