University of Queensland School of Music senior lecturer Felicity Baker and Kids in Mind Research director William Bor investigated if music could trigger mental health problems among young people.

It came after 16-year-old friends Jodie Gater and Stephanie Gestier committed suicide in Melbourne.

''In the aftermath of the double suicide of two teenage girls in 2007, the media linked the themes of emo music and the girls' mental state,'' Dr Baker said in a paper published in Australasian Psychiatry.

''Emo music short for emotional music typically expresses the outpouring of emotions usually associated with relationship break-ups or other tragic events. But it is not just emo music that has been the subject of scrutiny by the media.

''Rap music, country and heavy metal have also been blamed for antisocial behaviours, including violence, theft, promiscuity and drug use.''

Dr Baker and Dr Bor reviewed the findings from several studies to determine if music could trigger drug use, violence, antisocial behaviour and suicide among young people. ''Preference for heavy metal music and rap music correlate with a range of antisocial and other behaviour,'' Dr Baker said.

''While the research does not suggest that music causes such behaviours, it may well be that music preference is indicative of an underlying emotional disturbance or vulnerability. In fact, the research found that those adolescents with antisocial behaviour who listened to heavy metal music felt disconnected, lacked a stable identity, and had low self-esteem.

''Anger, violence and misogyny were especially associated with rap music. Similarly heavy metal music, particularly for girls, was associated with self-harm or suicidal ideation.''

Dr Baker said more research was needed to determine whether music preferences of those with mental health issues differed markedly from the general adolescent population. For help, phone Lifeline on 131 114.