MUSICAL PREFERENCE AND STRESS AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

Stress can be termed as a state of anxiety or mental tiredness caused by a challenging situation. That is how one reacts when they feel some type of pressure or danger. This usually occurs when a person is in a position he cannot handle or make matters right. Traditionally, techniques that were used to manage stress were the adoption of several coping strategies that fit one of three coping classifications: emotional, avoidant or problem-focused coping. There have also been numerous studies on how music can help in reducing stress, but not much about if it really does effectively serve as a coping tool. Much research has shown that listening to music allows it to be easy to reestablish emotional balance and serenity once more. However, while these do make it a very practical tool, it is still unclear to what rate it helps in relieving the toll. This paper will be used for conducting research in relation to music preference and stress. It aims at determining whether some people prefer a certain type of music, as well as the impacts of such preferences as coping strategies on daily stress. A sample of 106 people was recruited out of which 48 females and 56 males, with regard to which the data were collected by PSQ (Perceived Stress Questionnaire) and STOMP (Short Test Of Music Preferences) Questionnaire, with regard to which the sample age was between 18 years to 35 years, and the gathering technique used was a survey method including questions on demographic details, stress responses, and musical preferences.