A Comparison of Self-Reported Anxiety and Depression among Undergraduate Music Majors and Nonmusic Majors

Authors

Danni Gilbert, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

ORCID IDs

Danni Gilbert https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6922-6257

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2021

Citation

Journal of Music Teacher Education 30:3 (2021), pp. 69–83.

doi: 10.1177/10570837211021048

Comments

Copyright © 2021 National Association for Music Education. Published by SAGE. Used by permission.

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory research study was to compare anxiety and depression levels reported by music majors and nonmajors at a small, private liberal arts university. Study participants completed the Burns Anxiety Inventory and Burns Depression Checklist. Anxiety and depression levels were significantly higher among music majors, and there was a strong, positive relationship between anxiety and depression. Regardless of major, self-reports were not affected by year in school. Implications for additional mental health resources and strategies for improving music major health and self-care are discussed, along with a need for increased music faculty awareness of perceived anxiety and depression leading to modified programs of study.