The role of sensitizing experiences in music performance anxiety in adolescent musicians

Abstract

Aversive performance incidents play a role in the development of some anxiety disorders. The role of sensitizing experiences in the development of music performance anxiety (MPA) in adolescent music students has not yet been explored. Two-hundred-and-ninety-eight music students were asked to provide written descriptions of their worst performance, what happened and how they felt, specifying their age at the time, audience members, and any events that occurred subsequent to the performance. Descriptions were scored according to six domains: situational and behavioural factors, affective, cognitive and somatic symptoms of anxiety, and outcome. Scores were summed to provide a linear scale that ..