Sex differences in music performance anxiety: the role of self/other-scrutiny and self-efficacy

These findings highlight that evaluative cognitions, especially self-scrutiny, play a central role in explaining sex disparities in MPA, whereas self-efficacy exerts a limited contribution. In the Chinese choral context, where collective and public performance accentuates external evaluation, other-scrutiny may further erode confidence over time. The study underscores the need for interventions that target maladaptive self- and other-focused cognitions, while simultaneously fostering mastery experiences and supportive feedback to strengthen self-efficacy.