Freeing the performer's mind: A network analysis of music performance anxiety, negative affect, self-consciousness and mindfulness among music performers

Music performance anxiety (MPA) is a common damaging phenomenon in musicians' careers. Mindfulness stands as a promising construct to prevent MPA. However, the relationships between mindfulness and MPA are scarcely explored, alongside other relevant attention-based (e.g., self-consciousness) or emotion-based constructs (e.g., negative affect). This study explores the relationships between these constructs. A sample of 151 musicians was assessed to explore the relationships between these constructs. Self-reports of mindfulness, MPA, negative affect, and self-consciousness were applied. We implemented network analysis following a general (second-order) and specific (first-order) framework. Networks showed dispositional mindfulness as negatively associated with negative affect and MPA in both general and facet levels, while mindfulness in past performances was only negatively associated with negative affect. MPA was positively associated with negative affect and self-consciousness. Mindfulness displayed light or no associations with self-consciousness. Therefore, mindfulness seems to be a relevant construct toward MPA. We propose a preliminary model to improve mindfulness research and interventions applied to music performers. We also outline limitations and future direction

Unveiling the mirage of mindfulness profiles through mindfulness-based stress reduction

Objectives: The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) stands out as a standard of mindfulness assessment in scientific literature, although scientific understanding of its properties is still in development. Among them, the FFMQ seems to present latent profiles with specific patterns in its facets. However, no study has explored the behavior of mindfulness profiles across mindfulness-based interventions. This study explores how Mindfulness- Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) impacts mindfulness profiles. Methods: An overall sample of 624 participants were measured pre and post-MBSR in mindfulness, decentering, self-compassion, psychopathological symptoms, well-being, and positive and negative emotional states. Results: MBSR altered the structure of latent profiles, shifting from 3 profiles to 2 profiles: A High Mindfulness minority profile and a General Mindfulness majority profile. These profiles could be interpreted as a single dispositional mindfulness continuum. The Judgmentally Observing and Non-Judgmentally Aware profiles were more present in the High Mindfulness profile post-MBSR. All profiles tended to display increased decentering, self-compassion, well-being, and positive states, while decreased negative states and psychological symptoms. Thus, MBSR seemed to “arrange” latent profiles in a continuum of overall mindfulness. Conclusions: MBSR seems to dissipate heterogeneities in the FFMQ, allocating its measurements to a more homogeneous continuum of mindfulness. Implications and recommendations for future studies are discuss

Nuevos hallazgos en evaluación del mindfulness: Propiedades psicométricas profundas del Cuestionario Mindfulness de Cinco Facetas

Tesis Doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Psicología, Departamento de Psicología Biológica y de la Salud. Fecha de Lectura: 05-04-2022Esta tesis tiene embargado el acceso al texto completo hasta el 05-10-202

Adaptation and validation of the LGBQ Ally Identity Measure (Adaptación y validación de la Medida de Identificación Aliada LGBQ)

This article provides evidence on the reliability and validity of the Spanish adaptation of the Ally Identity Measure (AIM). This instrument is believed to be useful for psychosocial professionals and educational trainees to analyse the degree of commitment and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer (LGBQ) people. The sample of this study comprised 223 heterosexual psychology students who participated by completing the Spanish adaptation of the instrument. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed to study its fit to the factor structure of the original scale (knowledge and skills, openness and support, and awareness of oppression). The internal consistency of the subscales was adequate (.85 – .86). Convergent validity showed significant correlations and predictive levels with different attitudinal and socio-demographic variables. We have concluded that the AIM is an accurate instrument to assess allied attitudes towards the LGBQ communit

Freeing the performer’s mind: A network analysis of mindfulness, music performance anxiety, negative affect, and self-consciousness among music performers

Music performance anxiety (MPA) is a common damaging phenomenon for any musician’s career. Mindfulness stands as a promising construct to prevent MPA. However, the relationships between mindfulness and MPA are still not fully explored, alongside other relevant attention-based (e.g., self-consciousness) or emotion-based constructs (e.g., negative affect). This study explores the relationships between mindfulness, MPA, self-consciousness, and negative affect. A sample of 151 musicians were assessed to explore the relationships between these constructs. Self-reports of mindfulness, MPA, negative affect, and self-consciousness were applied. We implemented network analysis, a novel technique, following a general (second-order) and specific (first-order) framework. Dispositional mindfulness was negatively associated with negative affect and MPA in both general and facet levels, while mindfulness in past performances was only negatively associated with negative affect. In addition, mindfulness displayed light or no associations with self-consciousness. MPA was positively associated with negative affect and self-consciousness. The first-order network showed mindfulness facets with specific roles: Describe and acting with awareness were negatively associated with MPA components and negative affect, while Non-judging and decentering in performance situations were negatively associated with negative affect in performance situations. Thus, mindfulness seems to be a relevant construct towards MPA. We propose a preliminary model to improve mindfulness research and interventions applied to music performers. Future directions and implications are also discussed

Trust in scientists and their role in society across 67 countries

Scientific information is crucial for evidence-based decision-making. Public trust in science can help decision-makers act based on the best available evidence, especially during crises such as climate change or the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in recent years the epistemic authority of science has been challenged, causing concerns about low public trust in scientists. Here we interrogated these concerns with a pre-registered 67-country survey of 71,417 respondents on all inhabited continents and find that in most countries, a majority of the public trust scientists and think that scientists should be more engaged in policymaking. We further show that there is a discrepancy between the public’s perceived and desired priorities of scientific research. Moreover, we find variations between and within countries, which we explain with individual-and country-level variables,including political orientation. While these results do not show widespread lack of trust in scientists, we cannot discount the concern that lack of trust in scientists by even a small minority may affect considerations of scientific evidence in policymaking. These findings have implications for scientists and policymakers seeking to maintain and increase trust in scientists

Trust in scientists and their role in society across 67 countries

Scientific information is crucial for evidence-based decision-making. Public trust in science can help decision-makers act based on the best available evidence, especially during crises such as climate change or the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in recent years the epistemic authority of science has been challenged, causing concerns about low public trust in scientists. Here we interrogated these concerns with a pre-registered 67-country survey of 71,417 respondents on all inhabited continents and find that in most countries, a majority of the public trust scientists and think that scientists should be more engaged in policymaking. We further show that there is a discrepancy between the public’s perceived and desired priorities of scientific research. Moreover, we find variations between and within countries, which we explain with individual-and country-level variables,including political orientation. While these results do not show widespread lack of trust in scientists, we cannot discount the concern that lack of trust in scientists by even a small minority may affect considerations of scientific evidence in policymaking. These findings have implications for scientists and policymakers seeking to maintain and increase trust in scientists