Traditional Chinese Values and perfectionism: impacts on music performance anxiety (MPA) in Chinese piano students

Personal traits such as perfectionism have been widely discussed in the context of music performance anxiety. This thesis sheds light on the role of perfectionism and Traditional Chinese Values (TCV) in Chinese piano majors’ MPA, and their collective influence on music performance outcomes, given the huge number of Chinese piano students and the pervasive influence of Confucianism-based traditional values in Chinese society.

Specifically, it identifies key contributing factors to MPA, including self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism, and face consciousness, all of which can intensify psychological pressure by reinforcing the fear of failure, self-doubt, and concerns about social evaluation. While some dimensions such as self-oriented perfectionism and the Confucian value of ‘hardworking’ can motivate students and foster resilience, they may also conceal psychological distress and discourage help-seeking.<br><br>This research employs a mixed method, which combines both quantitative and qualitative methods to capture a holistic understanding of the influence of Traditional Chinese Values and perfectionism on Chinese piano majors’ MPA.