Development and Validation of the German Performance-related Questionnaire for Musicians (PQM) for Measuring Situational Music Performance Anxiety

Abstract

Introduction: When performing in public, musicians experience an individual level of music performance anxiety (MPA). The degree of MPA is influenced by various internal and external factors and differs between performances. Previous studies have focused mainly on the general disposition of MPA, but comparatively limited attention was given to the experience of MPA in a particular performance situation. In this study, the Performance-related Questionnaire for Musicians (PQM) is introduced and validated. The questionnaire was developed to assess situational MPA, thus filling a gap in standardized questionnaires relating to individual performances. Method: The fourth revised German version of the PQM was tested with regard to the reliability of the factor structure and the validity on a sample of 605 musicians. The PQM questionnaire focuses on aspects of situational MPA referring to a just-finished performance. It needs to be completed directly after a performance and considers retrospectively the times before and during the performance and the moment when filling in the questionnaire after the performance. For the analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed. Furthermore, the questionnaire was implemented in a mobile application for individual acquisition of PQM results across various performances. In a case study, data were analysed from 31 performances of one musician. Results: A three-dimensional factor structure at the time points before, during and after the performance showed reliable consistencies in the EFA and the CFA confirmed the structure with adequate model fit statistics. The three dimensions represent first, the degree of MPA symptoms (the higher the scale, the more severe the MPA); second, coping with MPA (the higher the scale, the more positive the coping); and third, self-efficacy (the higher the scale, the more positive the self-efficacy). The results of the case study with the mobile application showed individual differences and consistencies in situational MPA between performances. Discussion: The results show that the PQM is a valid tool for assessing situational MPA. The implementation as a mobile application is described as very practical and supports the use of the PQM for individual self-assessment and feedback.