A new Norwegian study has found that musicians in the country are three times more likely to face deteriorating mental health than other citizens.
The analysis, led by Psychiatrist Jonas Vaag from North Trøndelag Hospital Trust, also reports that musicians are 50 percent more likely to use psychotropic meditation like antidepressants, antipsychotics and anxiolytics.
Vaag’s research was based on interviews with 12 anonymous award-winning musicians from the worlds of pop, jazz, classical, rock, folk and metal.
It reveals that the artists have a difficult time distinguishing their work from their normal, everyday lives.
They also face specific issues, such as an unpredictable future and lack of given structure, family/work conflicts and external pressures around identity.
The report’s abstract said: ‘Research indicates that there is a higher degree of mental health problems, family/work conflicts and sleep-related problems among workers in creative occupations than in other professions.
‘Research also reveals that musicians have to deal with a relatively high degree of occupational stress.’
Vaag and his researchers go on to suggest resources which could help musicians overcome these challenges. These include family support plus help from a band and other professional networks.
They also state that personal entrepreneurial skills, flexibility and proactivity, plus the maintaining of core values can help.
The study was a joint project between the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Nord University, and Nord-Trøndelag University College. It was commissioned due to a lack of studies examining musicians’ medical problems.
Find out more about the study - http://pom.sagepub.com/content/early/2016/03/19/0305735616637132.abstract
The analysis, led by Psychiatrist Jonas Vaag from North Trøndelag Hospital Trust, also reports that musicians are 50 percent more likely to use psychotropic meditation like antidepressants, antipsychotics and anxiolytics.
Vaag’s research was based on interviews with 12 anonymous award-winning musicians from the worlds of pop, jazz, classical, rock, folk and metal.
It reveals that the artists have a difficult time distinguishing their work from their normal, everyday lives.
They also face specific issues, such as an unpredictable future and lack of given structure, family/work conflicts and external pressures around identity.
The report’s abstract said: ‘Research indicates that there is a higher degree of mental health problems, family/work conflicts and sleep-related problems among workers in creative occupations than in other professions.
‘Research also reveals that musicians have to deal with a relatively high degree of occupational stress.’
Vaag and his researchers go on to suggest resources which could help musicians overcome these challenges. These include family support plus help from a band and other professional networks.
They also state that personal entrepreneurial skills, flexibility and proactivity, plus the maintaining of core values can help.
The study was a joint project between the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Nord University, and Nord-Trøndelag University College. It was commissioned due to a lack of studies examining musicians’ medical problems.
Find out more about the study - http://pom.sagepub.com/content/early/2016/03/19/0305735616637132.abstract
