Sex differences in music performance anxiety: the role of self/other-scrutiny and self-efficacy

TL;DR

Women report higher music performance anxiety than men, with self-scrutiny being a key factor in explaining this difference.

Contribution

The study identifies self-scrutiny, other-scrutiny, and self-efficacy as mediators of sex differences in music performance anxiety.

Findings

Females reported significantly higher music performance anxiety than males.

Self-scrutiny explained 36.0% of the sex-MPA relationship, other-scrutiny 16.3%, and self-efficacy 2.8%.

The indirect pathway through other-scrutiny and self-efficacy was significant but modest.

Abstract

Sex differences in music performance anxiety (MPA) remain a persistent concern in both research and practice, yet the mediation mechanisms are not fully understood. Thus, this study examined whether self-scrutiny, other-scrutiny, and self-efficacy mediate the relationship between sex and MPA among Chinese choir members.

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in June 2025 with 774 active participants (27.1% male; mean age = 46.02, SD = 18.19) recruited from four community-based choirs in China. Standardized measures assessed MPA, self-scrutiny, other-scrutiny, and self-efficacy.

Findings indicated that (1) females reported significantly higher MPA than males; (2) Self-scrutiny, other-scrutiny, and self-efficacy significantly mediated the sex-MPA association, with effect sizes of 36.0%, 16.3%, and 2.8%, respectively. (3) Serial mediation via self-scrutiny and self-efficacy was not supported, whereas the indirect pathway through other-scrutiny and self-efficacy was significant, though modest in size (1.0%).

These findings highlight that evaluative cognitions, especially self-scrutiny, play a central role in explaining sex disparities in MPA, whereas self-efficacy exerts a limited contribution. In the Chinese choral context, where collective and public performance accentuates external evaluation, other-scrutiny may further erode confidence over time. The study underscores the need for interventions that target maladaptive self- and other-focused cognitions, while simultaneously fostering mastery experiences and supportive feedback to strengthen self-efficacy.

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