Continuing on the path of exploring my favourite pieces of writing surrounding musicians and mental health, I now turn to a recent (ish) study on popular musicians and their wellbeing.
The 2019 study explored the wellbeing experience of popular music singers, highlighting key themes of mental and physical experiences of health and support, positive musical experiences and barriers to health and wellbeing. The initial theme highlighted the musicians’ awareness of how they perceived and experienced health-promoting behaviours and the different levels of support surrounding the ‘highs and lows’ of pre-and post-performance.
The theme highlighted the musicians’ reflective awareness and management of both physical and mental health, contradicting other research that suggests popular musicians are more likely to neglect subjective wellness and self-care. Within this theme, relationships were also presented as key factors of support by way of family, friends or peers within the music industry. This was an interesting (and personally resonant) find as very often we are told how unsupportive the occupational environment can be. I think these more balanced studies bring a real sense of vitality to a well-worn narrative which can be quite binary in this field. Yes, the industry is tough but there is also a great deal of support and personal nourishment to be found within its hallowed walls.
This particular example was illustrated through the second theme surrounding wellbeing which described the positive musical experiences, creativity, live performances and fan relationships as key components contributing to the ‘good stuff’. Creativity was also inherently linked to self-expression and tied to a valued sense of authenticity by the musicians (similar theme to previous blogs). In the third theme, touring was deemed a barrier to health, with its associated poor diet, access to drink (and other substances), hectic schedules and travel demands. The commercial challenges for these musicians also involved struggles with self- management, social media exposure, fan engagement, commercial pressure and anti-social hours. When it comes to social media, I have a struggle with the domain. I personally find it a toxic place and generally a world that negatively impacts me emotionally. It is very rare that I come away from engaging in any social media with a sense of optimism or well-being. Of course, this is my own personal experience, but I can’t help to think how damaging it can be for others also. Perhaps you find it a place of solace and connection albeit synthetic. We’re all different! If this is an area you are interested in then check out the latest BBC 6 music program I have recently been involved with.
Back to the study, within the afore mentioned commercial challenges, it was also identified that a strong coping mechanism for the musicians was the ability to develop an artist character as an emotional buffer or psychological resource. Although this resource was helpful, it also paradoxically contributed to a loss of identity due to the ‘lack of authenticity and integrity felt by participants when engaging with it'. I find this area is quite prevalent within my clinical work also where the cultivation of a ‘performing part’ or character can often feel that we are being ‘fake’ etc. But…to this I add, the commercial world can never be truly authentic by its very nature, and I believe that there are few artists that are able to sell music and be a ‘true’ version of their own selves, whatever that may mean. Maybe a discussion for another time! See last week’s blog for more in this area.
Overall this study is one of a few lived experience (shop floor) studies based within the popular musician demographic and it contributes greatly to the mental health models of this world. The study was also a major influence on my own research as it brought together different elements that could have only been amalgamated by a musician, a key factor that gives the research its power. Don’t forget if you are a musician and want to learn more about your own mental health and that of others, you can sign up to the Tonic Rider Peer Support Group.
Adam Ficek hosts a monthly show 'Tonic Music' on Totally Wired Radio, where he talks to various guests about music and mental health. You can listen again to any of the previous show on the Tonic Music Mixcloud page.
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