Research shows the benefit of music for regulating emotions and connecting with others. This is all the more important for people with borderline personality disorder, who are fans of jazz and classical music.
“ Musical preferences are linked to many personality variables, but this relationship, the study hypothesizes, may be influenced by the functions of music that express the listener’s psychological needs », write the researchers of a new study published in the journal Psychology of Music. In particular, we know that music acts as an emotional regulator and reinforces our feeling of belonging to others.
To each his own style
People who suffer from borderline personality disorder (BPD) exhibit emotional and relational instability, as well as impulsive behavior. The role that music could play in the lives of these people is crucial. The Polish study looked at the musical preferences of 549 people, 274 of whom had symptoms of BPD. Among the latter, those who presented symptoms of gravitygravity high had a marked preference for musical genres “ thoughtful and complex », like jazz and classical music. On the contrary, these people liked less genres considered “ intense and rebellious “, like punk and heavy metal.
Researchers say genres like jazz and classical music promote introspection and emotional depth, which could provide a form of emotional regulation and improved self-awareness in BPD patients.
Research suggests that the functions of music may act as mediators in the relationship between BPD symptoms and music preferences. In other words, the choice of people suffering from the disorder for this type of music is justified by their psychological needs. These results will be taken into account in music therapy practices.
