Pepperdine University Pepperdine Digital Commons Theses and Dissertations 2015 Music preference and its effects on emotion processes and identity development in young adult females: an examination of the "emo" subculture Marta Orozco Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd Recommended Citation Orozco, Marta, "Music preference and its effects on emotion processes and identity development in young adult females: an examination of the "emo" subculture" (2015). Theses and Dissertations. 655. https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/655 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by Pepperdine Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Pepperdine Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology MUSIC PREFERENCE AND ITS EFFECTS ON EMOTION PROCESSES AND IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT IN YOUNG ADULT FEMALES: AN EXAMINATION OF THE “EMO” SUBCULTURE A clinical dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Psychology by Marta Orozco October, 2015 Shelly Harrell, Ph.D. – Dissertation Chairperson This clinical dissertation, written by Marta Orozco under the guidance of a Faculty Committee and approved by its members, has been submitted to and accepted by the Graduate Faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY Doctoral Committee: Shelly Harrell, Ph.D., Chairperson Thema Bryant-Davis, Ph.D. Andrea Bernhard, Psy.D. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES.......................................................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................................... vi VITA............................................................................................................................................ viii ABSTRACT................................................................................................................................. xiii Chapter 1: Introduction................................................................................................................... 1 Background......................................................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem.................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 2: Literature Review.......................................................................................................... 6 Music and Mood ................................................................................................................. 6 Music, Mood, and Youths................................................................................................. 10 Emotional and Mood Regulation...................................................................................... 15 Coping............................................................................................................................... 16 Music, Mood, Youths, and Gender................................................................................... 18 Music Subcultures............................................................................................................. 22 Music Subcultures and Problem Behaviors ...................................................................... 25 Music Subcultures and Gender ......................................................................................... 27 Music Subcultures: Emo................................................................................................... 28 Emo and Gender Bias ....................................................................................................... 32 Chapter 3: Research Methodology ............................................................................................... 34 Study Approach and Rationale ......................................................................................... 34 Participants........................................................................................................................ 35 Recruitment Strategies...................................................................................................... 35 Participant Selection Process ............................................................................................ 37 Compensation ................................................................................................................... 37 Consent Procedures........................................................................................................... 38 Steps to Protect Confidentiality ........................................................................................ 38 Research Procedures ......................................................................................................... 39 Chapter 4: Results......................................................................................................................... 41 Data Analysis Process....................................................................................................... 41 Description of Participants................................................................................................ 42 Participant Profiles............................................................................................................ 43 Research Questions and Emergent Themes...................................................................... 46 iv Page Chapter 5: Discussion ................................................................................................................... 82 Emo Music and Emotion .................................................................................................. 83 A Way to Connect............................................................................................................. 86 The Emo Stereotype.......................................................................................................... 88 Identity.............................................................................................................................. 90 Methodological Limitations.............................................................................................. 92 Clinical Implications......................................................................................................... 94 Emerging Hypotheses and Direction for Future Research ............................................... 95 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 98 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 99 APPENDIX A: IRB Approval Notice ........................................................................................ 117 APPENDIX B: Recruitment Flyer.............................................................................................. 119 APPENDIX C: College and University Administrative Contact Information ........................... 121 APPENDIX D: Recruitment Script for Personal Networks and Possible Participants .............. 122 APPENDIX E: Introductory Letter Provided To College or University Psychology or Research Departments ........................................................................................ 123 APPENDIX F: Informed Consent .............................................................................................. 124 APPENDIX G: Brief Screening Questionnaire .......................................................................... 126 APPENDIX H: Alcohol and Substance Use Screening Tool ..................................................... 127 APPENDIX I: Script for Ineligibility ......................................................................................... 128 APPENDIX J: Emergency Protocol ........................................................................................... 129 APPENDIX L: Background Information Questionnaire ............................................................ 130 APPENDIX M: Interview Confirmation Letter.......................................................................... 132 APPENDIX N: Introduction Script ............................................................................................ 133 APPENDIX O: Semi-Structured Interview Questions ............................................................... 134 APPENDIX P: End Script .......................................................................................................... 137 APPENDIX Q: Resources .......................................................................................................... 139 v LIST OF TABLES Page Table 1. Participant Background Information .............................................................................. 43 Table 2. Participants’ Music Preferences ..................................................................................... 47 Table 3. Themes and Sub-Themes................................................................................................ 48 Table 4. Seven Regulatory