The relationship between university students' music preferences and drug abuse tendencies and personality traits

The purpose of this study is to determine whether music preferences differ in terms of drug abuse tendencies and personality traits with regard to the type of music that music teacher candidates listen to. The research group of the study was comprised of 141 university students. Research data were collected using the Substance Use Tendency Scale, the Adjective-Based Personality Test (ABPT), and the Personal Information Form developed by the researchers. Pop music (93.6%) was determined to be the music type most listened to, and Heavy Metal music (21.3%) music the type least listened to. While the students were determining their music preferences, they indicated that the moods (99.3%) and the melody of the music (98.6%) were primarily important. The results of the analysis show that there are significant differences in music preferences based on the tendency for drug abuse and on personality traits. Findings have been discussed in the light of the relevant literature, and proposals have been made to professionals working in the fields of research, music therapy and music education.