Psychological Well-Being of Australian Actors and Performing Artists: Life Satisfaction and Negative Affect.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Anecdotal evidence and media reports suggest that actors and other performing artists experience high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. However, no empirical study has examined the psychological well-being of this professional group. OBJECTIVE The Australian Actors' Wellbeing Study (AWS) was conducted to examine the general wellbeing of Australian actors and performing artists. The present paper, reporting on data from the AWS, focuses on two aspects of respondents' psychological well-being: life satisfaction and the experience of negative affect. METHODS An online survey including several questionnaires was distributed to the Equity Foundation membership representing Australian actors. We report results from the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and examine their associations with respondents' sociodemographic and occupational background, including their relationship status and any relationship stress, income from performing, and time taken away from performing. RESULTS A sample of 782 Australian actors responded to the survey, with 582 participants completing the DASS and 568 the SWLS. Participants reported lower levels of life satisfaction and higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress than found in the Australian general population. Being in a relationship was associated with better psychological well-being; however, work stress often impacted negatively on relationships. Income had little association with psychological well-being, unless the respondent felt under financial stress. Respondents who took extended periods of time away from performing reported less life satisfaction and more depression than others. CONCLUSION Australian actors may be at a high risk for poor psychological health. Further research is necessary to establish causality among the variables we examined and to investigate protective factors that may increase well-being in the context of the performing arts industry.