Psychological skills and mindfulness training effects on the psychological wellbeing of undergraduate music students : an exploratory study

Abstract

This study explored the efficacy of psychological skills and mindfulness training intervention on the psychological well-being of undergraduate music students. Participants were undergraduate music students (n = 36) from the Department of Music at a South African university, 21 of whom were elected to take the psychological skills and mindfulness training intervention. Data on their self-reported psychological well-being, psychological skills, mindfulness and performance anxiety levels were collected pre- and post-intervention. The analysis applied non-parametric procedures to determine changes in students’ psychological well-being after the seven-week intervention program. Findings suggest improvements in psychological well-being, psychological skills, mindfulness and performance anxiety with training. Psychological skills and mindfulness training may have benefits to the psychological well-being of music students.