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Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023Music performance anxiety (MPA) is a natural, emotional, and physiological response to the stress of public performance. Debilitating forms of MPA are severe and... (Review)
Review
Music performance anxiety (MPA) is a natural, emotional, and physiological response to the stress of public performance. Debilitating forms of MPA are severe and persistent reactions that go beyond the normal adaptive response to music evaluation situations and can negatively impact the quality of musical performance and the musician's life in general. Today, it affects numerous professional performers and can result in an inability to practice their profession, posing a significant threat to their professional activity. Despite its scope, studies exploring this issue and contributing to its resolution are scarce. Thus, this review aims to compile the significant advancements made in the last five years (2018-2023) in the treatment of MPA from a scientific perspective. For this purpose, the PRISMA method was used based on the results obtained from the Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Reviewed are 10 studies that have made valuable contributions to this matter in this time frame after applying the quality filters using the PRISMA method. It is concluded that, although there are methodological shortcomings and sample limitations in the current research, this field registers advancements that provide valuable information to prevent or solve this problem in professional or aspiring musicians.
PubMed: 37753998
DOI: 10.3390/bs13090720 -
PloS One 2023Statistics anxiety is common among social science students. Despite much evidence examining statistics anxiety and test performance, little research has explored the...
BACKGROUND
Statistics anxiety is common among social science students. Despite much evidence examining statistics anxiety and test performance, little research has explored the role of student self-prediction on test performance in a higher education setting.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between statistics anxiety and both students' self-prediction of their future exam performance and actual test performance on a formal statistics assessment at undergraduate level in psychology students in the UK.
METHOD
Using a cross-sectional design, two hundred and two students were required to complete Statistics Anxiety Rating Scales, the Mathematical Prerequisites for Psychometrics Scale, and provided self-predicted test performance scores. Test performance data was obtained from a formal statistics assessment.
RESULTS
As predicted, we demonstrated statistics test anxiety to be negatively associated with self-predicted performance. Additionally, we found statistics anxiety was positively associated with test performance.
CONCLUSION
The findings highlight the complex relationship between statistics anxiety and test performance, suggesting there may be an optimal level of anxiety for performance in statistics assessments.
IMPLICATIONS
The results we report have implications for psychology research methods and statistics instructors who may wish to incorporate the findings into statistics instruction modules in order to assuage high levels of statistics anxiety and foster student well-being.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Students; United Kingdom
PubMed: 37611055
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290467 -
Royal Society Open Science Oct 2023Mathematics anxiety (MA), general and test anxieties affect mathematics performance. However, little is known about how different anxiety profiles (i.e. individual...
Mathematics anxiety (MA), general and test anxieties affect mathematics performance. However, little is known about how different anxiety profiles (i.e. individual configurations of anxiety forms) influence the relationship between MA and mathematics performance in university students. To the best of our knowledge, studies that have categorized participants based on their anxiety profiles and investigated how such groups differ in mathematics performance and other individual characteristics have all been conducted only with children and adolescents. Using latent profile analysis, we identified five different anxiety profiles in UK university students ( = 328) based on their MA, test anxiety (TA) and trait general anxiety levels (GA). Beyond extreme profiles (high or low levels in all forms of anxiety), we found groups characterized by more specific anxiety forms (MA profile, TA profile and high anxiety with low MA learning profile). These profiles were differentially related to arithmetic performance (but not the performance in a non-mathematics task), and individual factors (e.g. self-concept and self-efficacy). Results can inform the design of interventions tailored to individuals' unique anxiety profiles and highlight the necessity to further study the underpinning mechanisms that drive the MA developmental trajectory from childhood to adulthood.
PubMed: 37830022
DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230861 -
BMC Psychology Nov 2023Academic performance is an important issue for Korean students. Various psychological factors contribute to academic performance. We aimed to evaluate the psychological...
BACKGROUND
Academic performance is an important issue for Korean students. Various psychological factors contribute to academic performance. We aimed to evaluate the psychological factors that affect academic performance integratively.
METHODS
A total of 102 academic high achievers and 120 comparison participants were recruited. We evaluated psychological factors (test anxiety, perfectionism, personality traits, resilience, and self-efficacy) and measured academic performance using the College Scholastic Ability Test and the current college grade. We compared psychological factors and academic performance between the academic high achiever and comparison groups. Multiple linear regression was then conducted to identify the significant psychological factors for high academic performance. Further, we used cluster analysis to classify the comparison group by the significant psychological factors and compared them among clusters and academic high achievers to determine the psychological characteristics of academic high achievers.
RESULTS
The academic high achiever group showed lower test anxiety (p = .002), less neuroticism (p = .001), higher self-efficacy (p = .028), and less socially prescribed perfectionism (p < .001) than the comparison group. Multiple linear regression results (p = .020) clarified that neuroticism (p = .020), test anxiety level (p = .047), and perfectionism (p = .035) were important factors predicting better academic performance. Academic high achievers had moderate test anxiety and perfectionism levels, with the best performance on the College Scholastic Ability Test.
CONCLUSIONS
Neuroticism, test anxiety levels, and perfectionism are important psychological factors for high academic performance. Interventions targeting these factors may help to improve academic accomplishments.
Topics: Humans; Perfectionism; Neuroticism; Personality; Cross-Sectional Studies; Test Anxiety
PubMed: 37996957
DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01369-y -
Frontiers in Psychology 2023Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) is one of the most widespread and debilitating challenges facing musicians, affecting significant numbers of performers in terms of both... (Review)
Review
Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) is one of the most widespread and debilitating challenges facing musicians, affecting significant numbers of performers in terms of both their personal and professional functioning. Although numerous interventions exist to target MPA, its prevalence remains unchanged since the first large-scale studies of the 1980s, indicating that available interventions are having limited impact. This review synthesizes and critiques existing literature in order to investigate possible reasons for the limited efficacy of current approaches to managing MPA. Key concepts discussed include conceptual and methodological challenges surrounding defining MPA, theoretical perspectives on MPA's etiology and manifestation, and the coping strategies and interventions used to manage MPA. MPA has predominantly been investigated pathologically and defined as a negative construct manifesting in unwanted symptoms. Based on this conceptualization, interventions largely seek to manage MPA through ameliorating symptoms. This review discusses possible reasons why this approach has broadly not proved successful, including the issue of relaxation being both unrealistic and counterproductive for peak performance, issues associated with intentionally changing one's state creating resistance thus exacerbating anxiety, and focusing on the presence of, rather than response to, symptoms. Despite 50 years of research, MPA remains an unsolved enigma and continues to adversely impact musicians both on and off the stage. Reconceptualizing MPA as a normal and adaptive response to the pressures of performance may offer a new perspective on it, in terms of its definition, assessment and management, with practical as well as theoretical implications.
PubMed: 38022988
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1194873 -
Sports Health 2024Mindfulness has been around for centuries and a significant amount of research has been published in the past 6 years. Mindfulness has been shown to be helpful to...
Mindfulness has been around for centuries and a significant amount of research has been published in the past 6 years. Mindfulness has been shown to be helpful to improve overall well-being and sports performance. There has been a large increase in anxiety, depression, and overall stress in the pediatric, adolescent, and young adult population. This clinical commentary highlights the importance of using mindfulness as one tool to help young athletes improve their overall well-being and athletic performance. It also describes how it can be utilized in the sports medicine world along with noting a novel program at a Children's Hospital that is utilizing these tools to help young athletes.
Topics: Adolescent; Young Adult; Humans; Child; Mindfulness; Athletes; Anxiety; Athletic Performance; Sports Medicine
PubMed: 37936388
DOI: 10.1177/19417381231209219 -
International Nursing Review Dec 2023Individual and social concerns can negatively affect nurses' mental health during a large-scale earthquake's early stages, making it challenging to perform their...
BACKGROUND
Individual and social concerns can negatively affect nurses' mental health during a large-scale earthquake's early stages, making it challenging to perform their professional responsibilities.
AIM
This cross-sectional correlational study aimed to examine the relationship between depression, anxiety, and stress levels Turkish nurses experienced during an earthquake's early period. The nurses participating in this study were not directly present in the earthquake-affected area.
METHODS
The study was conducted on 232 nurses between February 10 and 25, 2023. The data were collected using the Depression, Anxiety, Stress-21 Scale and the Job Performance Evaluation Form developed by the researchers through a literature review. These were used to investigate nurses' work motivation changes due to the earthquake. The study followed the STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies.
RESULTS
The participants' depression levels were severe, anxiety levels were extremely severe, and stress levels were moderate following the earthquake. Nurses who felt exhausted experienced reduced energy levels toward their work and reported a decrease in their desire, effort, and work motivation to perform well. In addition, they had higher depression, anxiety, and stress scores (p < 0.005).
CONCLUSION
Psychological difficulties, including depression, anxiety, and stress experienced by nurses not directly present in an earthquake-affected area, reduced their professional efforts and motivation and negatively affected the patient care process. Further studies should focus on conducting comparative studies in different cultures affected by natural disasters on the longitudinal analysis of the impacts of nurses' psychological distress on their job performance.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY
Nursing policymakers should be aware of the negative psychological effects experienced by nurses during the early post-earthquake period, even if they are not directly present in the earthquake-affected area. The study recommended that nurses should be provided with psychological support to deal with the negative effects of natural disasters and maintain job performance, including the nursing care process.
PubMed: 38050999
DOI: 10.1111/inr.12920 -
Journal of Behavior Therapy and... Mar 2024Misophonia is a recently identified condition characterized by negative emotional responsivity to certain types of sounds. Although progress has been made in...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Misophonia is a recently identified condition characterized by negative emotional responsivity to certain types of sounds. Although progress has been made in understanding of neuronal, psychophysiological, and psychopathological mechanisms, important gaps in research remain, particularly insight into cognitive function. Accordingly, we conducted the first neuropsychological examination of misophonia, including clinical, diagnostic, and functional correlates.
METHODS
A misophonia group (n = 32) and a control group (n = 64) were screened for comorbidities using a formal semi-structured interview and completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and self-report measures of depression, anxiety, stress, impulsivity, and functional impairment.
RESULTS
The misophonia group significantly underperformed the control group on only 2 neuropsychological outcomes involving verbal memory retrieval. Subscales of the Misophonia Questionaaire (MQ) were inversely correlated only with measures of attention. The misophonia group reported significantly higher anxiety symptoms, behavioral impulsivity, and functional impairments, and had numerically higher rates of ADHD and OCD.
LIMITATIONS
To facilitate comparability, in lieu of a formal diagnostic algorithm for misophonia, we used a commonly used empirical definition for group allocation that has been utilized in numerous previous studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Misophonia was associated with a reduction in performance on a minority of cognitive tasks and a modest increase in some psychological symptoms and comorbid conditions. Correlational data suggest that difficulties with attention regulation and impulsivity may play a role in misophonia, albeit attention functions were intact. Results should be interpreted with caution given the variability in diagnostic definitions, and more research is needed to understand cognitive functioning under 'cold' conditions in misophonia.
Topics: Humans; Hearing Disorders; Emotions; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders
PubMed: 37657963
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2023.101897 -
Child Psychiatry and Human Development Apr 2024Many studies link anxiety in children with reading difficulties, but some facets of anxiety have been found to be positively associated with reading achievement....
Many studies link anxiety in children with reading difficulties, but some facets of anxiety have been found to be positively associated with reading achievement. Attentional Control Theory offers a potential explanation for these seemingly contradictory findings, positing that anxiety can both interfere in attentional processes and enhance effort and use of compensatory processing strategies. The current study examines the relationships between anxiety, attentional control, and reading performance (word reading/decoding and passage comprehension) in a racially-diverse sample of 251 s-grade students, 152 of whom had not met reading benchmarks using screening measures. Results showed that harm avoidance was positively associated with reading performance and physical symptoms of anxiety were negatively associated with reading performance. These links were attenuated when including attentional control in the model, suggesting mediation and lending support to Attentional Control Theory. Further research is needed to confirm causal mediation effects between anxiety, attentional control, and reading performance.
PubMed: 38676787
DOI: 10.1007/s10578-024-01701-6 -
Journal of Athletic Training Sep 2023Mental health (MH) symptoms and disorders are common in adolescents and young adults, and athletes may be at risk due to sport-specific triggers such as injury or...
Mental health (MH) symptoms and disorders are common in adolescents and young adults, and athletes may be at risk due to sport-specific triggers such as injury or illness as well as stressors related to performance, transition, or retirement from sport. Anxiety and depression are reported frequently in this age group, and early recognition and treatment can improve outcomes. The medical team (eg, athletic trainers or therapists, team physicians) should be familiar with the symptoms of depression and anxiety, recognize "red flags" for these symptoms and disorders, and seek to provide screening assessments and develop MH plans and MH emergency action plans. As a part of their scope of practice, team physicians should have the initial assessment and management of patients with these MH conditions and appreciate the importance of referrals to other MH providers with expertise caring for athletes. Athletic trainers are often the first point of contact for athletes who may be experiencing MH symptoms and therefore play a key role in early recognition and referrals to team physicians for early diagnosis and treatment. Additional resources that provide more in-depth information regarding the treatment and management of anxiety and depression are provided herein.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Young Adult; Depression; Mental Disorders; Athletes; Anxiety; Sports; Athletic Injuries
PubMed: 37971042
DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-0658.22