Oscar Casanova López

Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory: Confirmatory factor analysis of the Spanish version

This article presents the process of adjusting into Spanish Kenny’s Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (Kenny, Davis, & Oates, 2004). This questionnaire is based on Barlow’s theory of performance anxiety and evaluates levels of anxiety whilst on stage. After doing two translations into Spanish, a peer review, and pilot study, the questionnaire was answered by 490 musicians training in six Spanish music conservatories. Results showed that the adapted version of the instrument, with some minor modifications, has good psychometric properties, also validated through a confirmatory factor analysis procedure. Thereof, and in accordance with to Barlow’s theoretical framework, we saw emerge three related factors that made reference to specific cognitions of performance anxiety, such as helplessness as a factor of psychological vulnerability and early family influences. Performance anxiety is related to a psychological vulnerability profile and early relationship context. Finally, it is important to count with reliable instruments that allow contrasting theories in different cultural background, comparing the effects of problems or treatment outcomes.

Ansiedad escénica y constructos psicológicos relacionados. Estudiantes de cinco conservatorios superiores de música españoles

Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) in musicians is one of the biggest problems they face almost daily in their professional work. This study aims to determine whether there is a difference in MPA among Music majors students in Spain and if there is a variation depending on the study center to which they belong. This research, which can be considered as the first in Spain with these characteristics, analyses the differences in both MPA and its relationship with other psychological constructs (optimism, self-efficacy, achievement motivation and sensitivity to reward and punishment). The sample consists of 482 students from five centers, obtained from a sample availability criteria. For the evaluation of the different psychological constructs has been used a questionnaire ad hoc specially designed for measuring anxiety and the other constructs mentioned above. After the quantitative treatment of the data, it is found that MPA is present in these Spanish music students. In addition to the MPA, statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in the different constructs were found.

Estudios de música en los conservatorios superiores y ansiedad escénica en España

Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) in musicians who are undergoing training is one of the most relevant aspects in the daily music practice and performance process. Regarding the study of this problem in the Spanish context, there is a lack of research coming from the scientific community. In this study with a sample of 479 tertiary students of High Degree in music we found that about the 39% reported anxiety levels over the theoretical mean of the questionnaire designed for the specific purpose of assessing the MPA. We think this result makes necessary a pedagogical reflection about the curriculum towards the reduction of the anxiety levels.