Predicting different dimensions of music performance anxiety in young adolescents: the role of gender, psychological vulnerability, and music self-efficacy

The present study aimed to examine sociodemographic, music-related, and psychological predictors of music performance anxiety (MPA) in a group of 145 adolescent music students. The study also aimed to confirm the bifactorial structure of the Portuguese version of the MPAI-A. Results from the CFA showed an appropriate fit of the bi-dimensional organization of MPA into two dimensions: cognitive-somatic and performance. The results showed that each dimension of MPA was predicted by different variables: cognitive-somatic MPA was predicted by gender (female), higher levels of emotional and behavioural problems, and lower levels of music self-efficacy; performance MPA was predicted by lower levels of music self-efficacy. Results highlight the importance of mental health and motivational cognitions, particularly the role of emotional and behavioural problems and self-efficacy on MPA.