Exploring Musicians’ Perspectives on Decent Work, Creativity, and Well-Being

This study, grounded in the psychology of working theory (PWT) and self-determination theory (SDT), examined how working conditions shape musicians’ experiences of decent work, intrinsic motivation, artistic identity, creative engagement, and psychological well-being. Sixteen in-depth interviews were conducted with Portuguese musicians, including both freelancers and those with stable contracts. Reflexive thematic analysis identified four overarching themes: (a) job security and precarity, (b) intrinsic motivation, autonomy, and creative engagement, (c) artistic identity and purpose, and (d) well-being and mental health. The findings show that freelance instability undermines security, constrains creative risk-taking, and increases stress, whereas financial and institutional stability supports intrinsic motivation, reinforces artistic identity, and enables creative exploration. Features associated with intrinsic motivation, voluntary engagement, persistence, and psychological investment in creative tasks were observed across both groups. Autonomy itself sustained engagement for some freelancers, highlighting personal resilience and self-directed creativity. The results underscore the interplay between structural conditions (PWT) and individual motivations (SDT), showing that sustainable work environments foster well-being and high-quality creative output. The study provides practical implications for policies, education, and organizational strategies to support healthier, more productive artistic ecosystems.