Examining a Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Music Performance Anxiety in Student Vocalists

Music performance anxiety (MPA) is a distressing and persistent anxious apprehension related to musical performance. The experience of MPA forces many musicians to give up performing or develop maladaptive coping mechanisms (e.g., avoidance or substance use), which can impact their career and wellbe...

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Main Authors: Laura K. Clarke, Margaret S. Osborne, John A. Baranoff
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
ACT
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01127/full
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spelling doaj-4724b4bb2b034815b20264280a9dfd362020-11-25T02:33:29ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782020-05-011110.3389/fpsyg.2020.01127538344Examining a Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Music Performance Anxiety in Student VocalistsLaura K. Clarke0Margaret S. Osborne1Margaret S. Osborne2John A. Baranoff3John A. Baranoff4Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, AustraliaMelbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, AustraliaMelbourne Conservatorium of Music, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, AustraliaCentre for Treatment of Anxiety and Depression, SA Health, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaUniversity of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaMusic performance anxiety (MPA) is a distressing and persistent anxious apprehension related to musical performance. The experience of MPA forces many musicians to give up performing or develop maladaptive coping mechanisms (e.g., avoidance or substance use), which can impact their career and wellbeing. High levels of MPA in students and vocalists are reported in the literature. Vocalists present a unique challenge for clinicians in that vocal and breathing mechanisms, required for performance, are negatively impacted when anxious. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has demonstrated efficacy for the treatment of a range of psychological problems including social anxiety disorder (of which MPA may be indicated as a subtype). This study sought to investigate whether group-based ACT may be a feasible and effective intervention for MPA in Australian student vocalists and aimed to design an intervention that could be adopted by music education providers. Potential participants (N = 31) completed an online survey including demographic questions and outcome measures. Six vocal students (four females; two males; aged M = 20.33 years) with elevated MPA scores participated in the ACT for MPA group program and 3-month follow-up. Group sessions were 2 h each week for six consecutive weeks. Participants were followed up 3 months post-intervention via online survey. There was a significant increase in psychological flexibility and significant decreases in MPA and psychological inflexibility. Gains were maintained at 3-month follow-up. The current study offers preliminary evidence for the feasibility and effectiveness of a group-based ACT protocol for musicians with performance anxiety which may be incorporated into tertiary performance training curricula.https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01127/fullperformance anxietypsychological flexibilitywellbeingmusiciansearly interventionACT
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Laura K. Clarke
Margaret S. Osborne
Margaret S. Osborne
John A. Baranoff
John A. Baranoff
spellingShingle Laura K. Clarke
Margaret S. Osborne
Margaret S. Osborne
John A. Baranoff
John A. Baranoff
Examining a Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Music Performance Anxiety in Student Vocalists
Frontiers in Psychology
performance anxiety
psychological flexibility
wellbeing
musicians
early intervention
ACT
author_facet Laura K. Clarke
Margaret S. Osborne
Margaret S. Osborne
John A. Baranoff
John A. Baranoff
author_sort Laura K. Clarke
title Examining a Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Music Performance Anxiety in Student Vocalists
title_short Examining a Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Music Performance Anxiety in Student Vocalists
title_full Examining a Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Music Performance Anxiety in Student Vocalists
title_fullStr Examining a Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Music Performance Anxiety in Student Vocalists
title_full_unstemmed Examining a Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Music Performance Anxiety in Student Vocalists
title_sort examining a group acceptance and commitment therapy intervention for music performance anxiety in student vocalists
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
series Frontiers in Psychology
issn 1664-1078
publishDate 2020-05-01
description Music performance anxiety (MPA) is a distressing and persistent anxious apprehension related to musical performance. The experience of MPA forces many musicians to give up performing or develop maladaptive coping mechanisms (e.g., avoidance or substance use), which can impact their career and wellbeing. High levels of MPA in students and vocalists are reported in the literature. Vocalists present a unique challenge for clinicians in that vocal and breathing mechanisms, required for performance, are negatively impacted when anxious. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has demonstrated efficacy for the treatment of a range of psychological problems including social anxiety disorder (of which MPA may be indicated as a subtype). This study sought to investigate whether group-based ACT may be a feasible and effective intervention for MPA in Australian student vocalists and aimed to design an intervention that could be adopted by music education providers. Potential participants (N = 31) completed an online survey including demographic questions and outcome measures. Six vocal students (four females; two males; aged M = 20.33 years) with elevated MPA scores participated in the ACT for MPA group program and 3-month follow-up. Group sessions were 2 h each week for six consecutive weeks. Participants were followed up 3 months post-intervention via online survey. There was a significant increase in psychological flexibility and significant decreases in MPA and psychological inflexibility. Gains were maintained at 3-month follow-up. The current study offers preliminary evidence for the feasibility and effectiveness of a group-based ACT protocol for musicians with performance anxiety which may be incorporated into tertiary performance training curricula.
topic performance anxiety
psychological flexibility
wellbeing
musicians
early intervention
ACT
url https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01127/full
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