The Connection Between Flow and Music Performance Anxiety Among Adolescents

This study investigated the relationship between flow experiences and music performance anxiety (MPA) among school-age musicians in China, with a particular focus on adolescent students (aged 13–15 years). While previous research has examined flow and MPA in professional musicians, limited attention has been paid to younger and less experienced populations. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the study combined quantitative data from two validated self-report measures with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews. Participants were students who had recently performed in a school concert and represented a range of proficiency levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced). The findings suggested that: (a) both flow and MPA were commonly experienced by adolescent students; (b) flow and MPA were negatively correlated, particularly among more proficient students; and (c) higher proficiency appeared to facilitate flow experiences while mitigating MPA, possibly due to accumulated performance experience. These results suggested that musical proficiency may serve as a buffer against MPA by promoting optimal performance states. Implications for music education and psychological interventions were discussed, and directions for future research were proposed.