Date of Award
2023
Document Type
Doctoral Research Paper
Degree Name
Psy.D.
Department
Graduate School of Professional Psychology
First Advisor
Michael Karson, Ph.D., J.D.
Second Advisor
Kim Gorgens, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Sarah Lukens, Psy.D.
Keywords
Music, Psychology, Mental health, Intersubjective, Touring
Publication Statement
Copyright held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Abstract
Research shows that professional musicians tend to experience higher rates of mental health challenges compared to the general population. While there are a number of underlying factors and historical experiences that may help us to better understand these psychological struggles, I will be examining the relational system between musician and the music industry beginning at the time in which an amateur musician transitions to the professional realm. With this transition comes incredible demand and pressure from the industry. Professional musicians are at the mercy of grueling tour schedules where they spend months away from loved ones, must be "on" at every performance to win over audiences, and are harshly judged on their creative output. All of this occurs within a notoriously fickle and competitive industry. If you aren't willing to do all the "right" things, the industry will find someone else that will. What's more, even if you do all the "right" things, there is still no guarantee of success. This relational dynamic between musicians and the music industry is fertile ground for pathological accommodation and psychological struggle.
Extent
35 pgs
Recommended Citation
Fricke, Jonathan, "The Misattuned Music Industry: An Intersubjective Perspective on the Music Industry's Mental Health Crisis" (2023). Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects. 483.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/capstone_masters/483
Paper Method
Theoretical Analysis and Synthesis