Investigating the role of mental simulation and planning on music performance anxiety

Objective: This exploratory study aims to look at the potential of using outcome-focused and process-focused mental simulations, along with implementation intentions, as autonomous interventions for music performance anxiety (MPA). The study will also consider the role of gender and self-efficacy in these interventions.\ud \ud Methods: At Time 1, participants (N = 54) completed baseline measures for self-efficacy and anxiety. At Time 2, participants were allocated to a condition arising from the 2 (outcome-focused vs. process-focused mental simulation) x 2 (implementation intention vs. no implementation intention) between subjects design. They completed their assigned interventions and then performed an audition to a panel. Post-audition state anxiety scores and panel rated the participant state anxiety levels were then reported.\ud \ud Results: Mental simulation, implementation intentions, and the interaction between them were not significant predictors of music performance anxiety. However, when gender was added as a predictor, the results suggest that in males, outcome-focused mental simulation is more effective at reducing MPA than process-focused, but that in females there is no significant difference between the types of mental simulation. Although self-efficacy was found not to be a significant predictor in MPA, trends in results suggest that it does play an important role.\ud \ud Conclusions: The results suggest that mental simulations and implementation intentions have potential as interventions for MPA, particularly if tailored to the individual in terms of gender and self-efficacy. Future research should build on this study by exploring the efficacy of these interventions over a longer period of time and further explore the role of gender and self-efficacy