Music performance anxiety and self-compassion in college-level music majors

Abstract

Music performance anxiety (MPA) can result in negative mental health outcomes in musicians and can range from minor stress to significant physiological symptoms that affect performance. Self-compassion is a construct used to measure, improve, and understand mental health and well-being without the potentially negative psychological outcomes that result from preserving high self-esteem. With a growing need for understanding the mental health of college-level musicians, this study examined the relationship between levels of self-compassion and MPA. Data were collected using the Self-Compassion Scale and the Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Index and were analyzed for correlational and predictive potential. The data suggested a strong inverse relationship between the two constructs; people who reported higher levels of self-compassion reported a lower incidence of MPA. The self-compassion component of self-kindness was found to be a unique predictor of MPA. The demonstrated relationship between self-compassion and MPA implies promise for interventions focusing on positive self-talk and self-kindness as a means to help musicians cope with experiences of MPA.