Persisting with a music career despite the insecurity: When social and motivational resources really matter

Abstract

Drawing on conservation of resources theory and self-determination theory, coworker support and work motivation were investigated as resources that should buffer or mitigate the negative consequences of career insecurity for professional musicians. We surveyed 200 professional musicians. Analyses revealed that only those musicians with low career insecurity and better-quality motivation (i.e., either high autonomous or low controlled) were less prone to problem drinking. Importantly, the combination of high coworker support and high autonomous motivation was associated with less emotional exhaustion from career insecurity. These resources were not simply stress-buffers of career insecurity, but helped well-resourced musicians thrive on career insecurity. Additionally, it was found that career insecurity was associated with greater intentions to leave the profession for all musicians, except for those with high controlled motivation when they also had access to high coworker support. For these musicians, having access to supportive coworkers was important for persisting with their music career despite the insecurity.