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Research Project
Background
Professional performing artists are often faced with significant occupational challenges throughout their studies and subsequent careers which can in turn lead to a number of psychological and health issues.
It is well documented that professional musicians experience a range of mental health issues due to the psychologically demanding nature of their profession (e.g., Pecen, Collins, & MacNamara, 2016; Perkins et al., 2017; Van Fenema & Van Geel, 2014).
Professional dancers and actors constitute two other groups that are also at risk of developing mental health issues (Grove, Main & Sharp, 2013; Maxwell, Seton, & Szabo, 2015; Laws & Apps, 2005; Robb & Due, 2018; Robb, Due, & Venning, 2016; Schmidt et al., 2015).
In 2019, the Department of Applied Psychology and the Royal Conservatoire of the Antwerp University College (AP Hogeschool) started a research collaboration. The goal of this research project was to perform a qualitative, in-depth investigation of the various shared mental health challenges that professional musicians, dancers and actors face in their studies and subsequent careers.
Methodology
Phase 1: Literature study
Phase 2: Exploratory interviews
Experienced performing artists were interviewed and asked about the mental health challenges they encountered throughout their careers. The purpose of the exploratory interviews was to establish a starting point for the development of a semi-structured interview guide, which would be used for the main data collection.
Phase 3: Semi-structured in-depth interviews
Performing artists from the performing arts were recruited to participate in the semi-structured interviews. All participants were professionally active within their respective disciplines. All interviews were audio-recorded and subsequently transcribed and anonymized.
Participating performing artists were followed over a six-week period in diary studies to capture mental health challenges in their daily lives. For each individual participant, the diary study was concluded with one final evaluation interview.
Phase 4: Mixed focus groups
After completion of the semi-structured interviews and the diary study, two additional focus groups were conducted. The main objective of the focus groups was to explore in greater depth key themes that emerged from the interviews. Questions addressed participants’ perceptions of mental health challenges, coping strategies, and needs for external support.
Phase 5: Data analysis
Inductive content analysis was used to derive the most prevalent themes from the interview and focus group transcripts
The results were used to inform the development of the multidisciplinary prevention program
Results (summary)
Challenges
Results showed that common mental health challenges between musicians, dancers and actors could be broadly grouped into three main categories: psychological challenges, environmental challenges and physical challenges.
Needs for external support
Participating artists were also asked about their needs and wishes with regards to external support which resulted in the following broad themes:
Prevention
Participants considered active prevention as key for maintaining their psychological health and well-being within the working field and strongly encouraged initiatives in this regard.
Education
Receiving basic psycho-education about mental health in conservatories and artistic organizations was deemed desirable by most participants. In addition, participants indicated a wish to be sensitized about the various mental health challenges that are prevalent in the workfield for performing artists
Specialized psychological support
Participants also indicated a broad need for psychologists and therapists who specialize in working with performing artists and who are in touch with the specific challenges of the performing arts industry
Safety nets within artistic organizations
Finally, participants also indicated the need for more safety nets within professional artistic organizations with respect to mental health issues, providing a safe and confidential space to express such issues.
Conclusion
The current study shows that performing artists are confronted with a plethora of mental health challenges in their studies and careers which may increase their chances of developing mental health issues. Therefore, conservatories and professional organizations within the fields of music, dance and drama should increase their focus on the mental health and well-being of their students and working professionals. One possibility to do so is by actively promoting psychological resilience among performing artists through prevention programs in conservatories and artistic organizations.
References
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Kenny, D., Driscoll, T., & Ackermann, B. (2014). Psychological well-being in professional orchestral musicians in Australia: A descriptive population study. Psychology of Music, 42(2), 210–232.
Laws, H. (2005). Fit to dance 2 (2nd ed.). London: Dance UK. Maxwell, I., Seton, M., & Szabo, M. (2015). The Australian actors' wellbeing study: A preliminary report. About Performance, 13, 69-113.
Pecen, E., Collins, D. J., & MacNamara, A. (2018). “It’s your problem. Deal with It.” Performers’ experiences of psychological challenges in music. Frontiers in Psychology, 8 (JAN), 1–17. Perkins, R., Reid, H., Araujo, L.S., Clark, T., and Williamon, A. (2017). Perceived enablers and barriers to optimal health among music students: a qualitative study in the music conservatoire setting. Frontiers in Psychology, 8:968.
Robb, A. E., & Due, C. (2017). Exploring psychological wellbeing in acting training: An Australian interview study. Theatre, Dance and Performance Training, 8(3), 297-316.
Robb, A. E., Due, C., & Venning, A. (2018). Exploring Psychological wellbeing in a Sample of Australian Actors. Australian Psychologist, 53, 77–86. Schmidt, L. R. (1994). A psychological look at public health: Contents and methodology. International Review of Health Psychology., 53, 502–517.
Twitchett, E., Angioi, M., Koutedakis Y., Wyon M. (2010). The demands of a working day among female professional ballet dancers. J Dance Med Sci., 14(4), 127-32.
Vaag, J., Bjørngaard, J. H., & Bjerkeset, O. (2016). Symptoms of anxiety and depression among Norwegian musicians compared to the general workforce. Psychology of Music, 44(2), 234–248.
Van Fenema, E. & van Geel, C. (2014). Mental problems of among first-year conservatory students compared with medical students. Medical Problems of Performing Artists, 29(2), 113-114
Van Fenema, E., Julsing, J.E., Carlier, I.V., van Noorden, M.S., Giltay, E.J., van Wee, N.J., & Zitman, F.G. (2013, March). Musicians seeking psychiatric help: a preliminary study of psychiatric characteristics. Medical Problems of Performing Artists, 28(1), 9-18. Waterman, E. (2013). Is your work making you sick? Retrieved from www. artshub.com/au/newsprint.aspx?listingId=195271
Weyns, T., Preckel, F., & Verschueren, K. (2021). Teachers-in-training perceptions of gifted children’s characteristics and teacher-child interactions: An experimental study.Teaching and Teacher Education, 97, 103215.