The experiences of metal fans with mental and developmental disorders in the metal music community

Bibliographic Data

ID21876144
AuthorsKyle J Messick (0000-0002-0452-0922, Coventry University), Blanca Aranda (0000-0002-1112-416X, Coventry University), Charles Russell Day (0000-0002-9382-1726, Coventry University)
Year2020
Volume6
Issue2
Pages193-214
Publication date2020-06-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMetal Music Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2052-3998 • E-ISSN: 2052-4005
PublisherIntellect (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1386/mms_00013_1
OpenAlexW3037662746
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited23

A series of interviews were conducted to explore the experience of what it is like to be a member of metal music culture living with mental health conditions and/or developmental disabilities. Ten participants were interviewed, three of which had schizophrenia, four with autism spectrum disorder, two had bipolar affective disorder and one had borderline personality disorder. Thematic analysis was utilized to explore the experiences of people living with various types of mental illness and developmental disabilities in the context of metal, which resulted in the development of three overarching themes. It was found that participants felt that the metal music community was more welcoming to them due to the broad use of lyrics about mental health topics and the prevalence of metal musicians that have mental health concerns. The broad application of mental health topics in metal was seen as having a de-stigmatizing effect towards mental health concerns, but at the cost of accuracy, as topics like schizophrenia are seen as fetishized and inaccurately depicted. Participants reported that the metal community affords its members with mental health conditions and developmental disabilities a number of benefits including a sense of belonging, the facilitation of mood maintenance and the management of lesser symptoms. Symptom management appeared to be mitigated by symptom severity and influenced how participants experienced metal music

Autism · Autism spectrum disorder · Developmental psychology · Mental health · Mental illness · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Thematic analysis · Clinical Psychology · Diverse Music Education Insights · Music Therapy and Health · Neuroscience and Music Perception · Psychology

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