Name
Psychological Safety in Specialist Music Performance Training
Date & Time
Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 1:50 PM - 2:20 PM
Description
Psychological safety (PS), defined as a shared belief that an environment is safe for interpersonal risk-taking (e.g., admitting to mistakes, asking for help), is increasingly recognized as critical to learning and performance and has been thoroughly researched in high-stakes fields (e.g., business, education, healthcare, sports). This construct is, however, yet to be investigated in specialist music performance training (SMPT). Based on theory and previous cross-field research, this study examined the antecedents and outcomes of PS in one-to-one music lessons. A total of 358 music performance students from 12 conservatories and specialist music schools in the United Kingdom completed a survey that included an adapted version of Edmondson’s (1999) PS scale. Firstly, the scale’s psychometric properties were examined and found to be appropriate for this study’s sample. Covariance-based structural equation modeling showed that teachers’ leadership and supportive behaviors positively predicted PS, which in turn directly and indirectly influenced learning and performance-related outcomes. Although the cross-sectional design precludes causal inferences, this study deepens our understanding of the psychosocial factors associated with high-performing musicians’ environments and how they may foster desirable results. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the construct of PS in SMPT.
Location Name
510C
Full Address
Palais des Congres - Montréal Convention Centre
1001, Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle
Montreal QC H2Z 1H2
Canada
1001, Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle
Montreal QC H2Z 1H2
Canada
Session Type
Paper Presentation
Presenting Author(s)
Margarida Castro