Improved Self-Esteem in Artists After Participating in the “Building Confidence and Self-Esteem Toolbox Workshop”

Abstract

Performing and creative artists have unique occupational and lifestyle stresses and challenges that can negatively affect self-esteem. Low self-esteem not only has serious implications for their psychological and physical health, it can also affect their performance, and creativity. There is a need to establish effective interventions to deal with this issue. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reported studies specific to workshops or interventions on enhancing self-esteem for artists. The Al and Malka Green Artists' Health Centre at the Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a unique multidisciplinary, and integrative clinic serving the special needs of the artist population. We developed a workshop entitled “Building Confidence and Self Esteem Toolbox Workshop” to address this need. We then designed a single-blind, randomized, prospective, pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of the workshop on enhancing self-esteem in artists, and to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of using the recommended tools in maintaining a healthy self-esteem, as well as maintaining physical and emotional health. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. A validated “Self-Esteem Checkup” questionnaire was administered pre- and immediately post workshop, as well as at 2, 6, and 12 months post workshop. Open-ended questions were posed to study participants via email at 2 and 12 months following the workshop, and at 6 months in in-person interviews. Thirty-five professional artists consented to participate in the study, with 26 completing all study visits. Mean scores for all time points, and the individual questionnaire statement mean scores for the five timepoints increased significantly post-workshop and remained statistically significantly improved by the 3rd follow-up 12 months later (p < 0.001). The mean self-esteem rating score increased significantly post-workshop and remained statistically significantly improved by the 3rd follow-up 12 months later (p < 0.01). Qualitative data showed positive feedback on the utilization of the tools learned in the workshop that helped maintain this improvement over a 1-year period. This workshop may be an effective means of addressing the issue of self-esteem in artists. Further controlled studies of larger sample size and longer duration are needed to confirm these findings.

Abilities, Motivations, and Opportunities of Furloughed Employees in the Context of Covid-19: Preliminary Evidence From the UK

“…Finally, we found that furloughed individuals often considered their skills to be inferior to the skills of their non-furloughed colleagues. This may lead to low self-esteem and confidence problems (Shack et al, 2018 ) which, if not addressed, may influence overall organizational climate by diving the workforce and negatively affecting their relationships (Szulc, 2020 ). Consistently, employers may consider implementing return-to-work interviews where employee's value and contribution to the organization is emphasized.…”

Autoestima y Satisfacción con la Vida en Músicos y Población General

“…De este modo, consideramos que la autoestima es un factor influyente en el bienestar psicológico de estudiantes y músicos profesionales que repercute en su satisfacción vital, específicamente entre los más jóvenes. Asimismo, al haber observado que aquellas personas con una autoestima más alta tienen una mejor percepción de su satisfacción con la vida, creemos que serán más eficientes para afrontar las múltiples situaciones estresantes, desafíos y adversidades que en última instancia experimentan los estudiantes de música y músicos profesionales (Ascenso et al, 2018;Berchtold-Neumann, 2018;Cruder et al, 2020;Duy & Yıldız, 2019;Haraldsen, et al, 2020;Matei et al, 2018;Pecen et al, 2018;Shack et al, 2018).…”

“…Específicamente, esta tensión y exposición elevada derivada de los retos y desafíos profesionales puede influir negativamente en la autoestima de estudiantes de música y músicos profesionales. Asimismo, una baja autoestima puede repercutir negativamente en el bienestar psicológico y físico, pudiendo afectar a su rendimiento y creatividad (Shack et al, 2018).…”