Background: Research indicates that there is a higher degree of mental health
problems, family/work conflicts and sleep-related problems among workers in creative
occupations than in other professions. Research also reveals that musicians have to deal
with a relatively high degree of occupational stress. There is, however, a lack of
research investigating the qualities of freelance musicians’ psychosocial work
environment, as well as possible protective factors for maintaining good mental health.
Methods: Based on 12 in-depth interviews, we used a template analysis to examine the
unique characteristics of the professional life of freelance pop and rock musicians.
Results: Using the job demands-resources model as a conceptual framework, we found
that an unpredictable future, threats to the family/work balance and significant amounts
of external pressure were three broad contextual demands facing freelance musicians.
Social support from family, fellow band members, audiences and their professional
network, as well as having adequate personal resources such as entrepreneurial skills,
value-anchored flexibility, tolerance for ambiguity and dedication to music making
were described as important for managing life as a freelance musician.
Conclusions: Musicians’ psychosocial work environment and health seem to be
related to the three overarching protective factors also described in resilience research:
namely personal dispositions, family coherence and social resources
