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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Psychol.
Sec. Performance Science
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1374773
This article is part of the Research Topic International Symposium on Performance Science 2023 View all 11 articles

"I feel like a fish out of water": Interpreting the Occupational Stress and Well-being Experiences of Professional Classical Musicians

Provisionally accepted
Simone Willis Simone Willis 1,2*Mikel Mellick Mikel Mellick 2Rich Neil Rich Neil 2David Wasley David Wasley 2
  • 1 Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
  • 2 Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, United Kingdom

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Introduction: Professional classical musicians operate within a highly demanding environment, which includes organisational, social, and emotional demands. When not effectively coped with, these demands may cause stress and negatively impact well-being. This qualitative study explored the perceived stress and well-being experiences of professional classical musicians through a transactional theory of stress. The study employed a double hermeneutic interpretation of the lived experiences of the perceived demands faced, stress appraisals made, resources used, and the influence on well-being. Methods: Six professional classical musicians were purposefully selected for participation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and participants reflected on two events: one they perceived as a positive experience and one that was negative. Transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Group Experiential Themes emerged. Results: Three Group Experiential Themes were identified: a) Performance Demands; b) Organisational Demands; and, c) Relationship Demands. Participants predominantly appraised demands as a threat. A small number of demands were appraised as a challenge or benefit, and the fewest demands were appraised as causing harm or loss. Participants’ appraisals were informed by underlying properties of stress appraisal such as self and other comparison, and preparation. Participants often relied on personal resources as opposed to available workplace resources. They perceived well-being to relate to stress appraisals with participants experiencing acute and long-term outcomes. Discussion: This study offers insight into the lived experience of the occupational stress process within professional classical musicians. The findings demonstrate that organisational interventions targeted at continuing professional development and social support are appropriate to help musicians cope more effectively with demands.

    Keywords: performance, musicians, stress, demands, appraisal, coping, Well-being, interpretative phenomenological analysis

    Received: 22 Jan 2024; Accepted: 01 Aug 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Willis, Mellick, Neil and Wasley. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Simone Willis, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.