This qualitative study examined the occupational experiences of young adult rock musicians using first-hand accounts solicited through semi-structured interviews. Participants included 9 male rock musicians ages 19 to 35 who actively participated in an income-generating rock band. A grounded theory approach was used for data analysis and interpretation. Participation in a rock band was conceptualized as a dynamic process between identifying as a musician, facing challenges, and meeting challenges, which either led musicians to persevere or discontinue engagement in the band. Results challenge typical stereotypes associated with rock band participation and contribute to understanding the connection between occupational engagement and motivation. Also discussed are the relationships between occupation and identity, subjective conceptualizations of occupations, and rock music as a meaningful occupation.
","abstract_html":"<p>This qualitative study examined the occupational experiences of young adult rock musicians using first-hand accounts solicited through semi-structured interviews. Participants included 9 male rock musicians ages 19 to 35 who actively participated in an income-generating rock band. A grounded theory approach was used for data analysis and interpretation. Participation in a rock band was conceptualized as a dynamic process between identifying as a musician, facing challenges, and meeting challenges, which either led musicians to persevere or discontinue engagement in the band. Results challenge typical stereotypes associated with rock band participation and contribute to understanding the connection between occupational engagement and motivation. Also discussed are the relationships between occupation and identity, subjective conceptualizations of occupations, and rock music as a meaningful occupation.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["King, Brooke E."],"institution":"Eastern Kentucky University","degree_name":"Master of Science (MS)","degree_level":"Master's","degree_discipline":"Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2017,"date_issued":"2017-01-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2017-01-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:15:53Z","subjects":["grounded theory","occupational science","rock musician","young adult","Other Social and Behavioral Sciences"],"languages":[],"rights":["Copyright 2017 Brooke E. King"],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/456","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["King, Brooke E."]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2021-06-12T07:00:00Z"]},{"key":"dc:publisher","label":"Institution","values":["Encompass Digital Archive, Eastern Kentucky University"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Master Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Master's"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Science (MS)"]},{"key":"thesis:institution_name","label":"Thesis Institution Name","values":["Eastern Kentucky University"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["grounded theory","occupational science","rock musician","young adult","Other Social and Behavioral Sciences"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["Copyright 2017 Brooke E. King"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/456"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["This qualitative study examined the occupational experiences of young adult rock musicians using first-hand accounts solicited through semi-structured interviews. Participants included 9 male rock musicians ages 19 to 35 who actively participated in an income-generating rock band. A grounded theory approach was used for data analysis and interpretation. Participation in a rock band was conceptualized as a dynamic process between identifying as a musician, facing challenges, and meeting challenges, which either led musicians to persevere or discontinue engagement in the band. Results challenge typical stereotypes associated with rock band participation and contribute to understanding the connection between occupational engagement and motivation. Also discussed are the relationships between occupation and identity, subjective conceptualizations of occupations, and rock music as a meaningful occupation.
"]},{"key":"dc:format","label":"Dc Format","values":["application/pdf"]},{"key":"dc:source","label":"Dc Source","values":["Encompass Digital Archive: Online Theses and Dissertations"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Exploring the Experiences of Young Adult Rock Musicians Through an Occupational Lens"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:creator":["King, Brooke E."],"dc:date.available":["2021-06-12T07:00:00Z"],"dc:description.abstract":["This qualitative study examined the occupational experiences of young adult rock musicians using first-hand accounts solicited through semi-structured interviews. Participants included 9 male rock musicians ages 19 to 35 who actively participated in an income-generating rock band. A grounded theory approach was used for data analysis and interpretation. Participation in a rock band was conceptualized as a dynamic process between identifying as a musician, facing challenges, and meeting challenges, which either led musicians to persevere or discontinue engagement in the band. Results challenge typical stereotypes associated with rock band participation and contribute to understanding the connection between occupational engagement and motivation. Also discussed are the relationships between occupation and identity, subjective conceptualizations of occupations, and rock music as a meaningful occupation.
"],"dc:format":["application/pdf"],"dc:identifier":["https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/456"],"dc:publisher":["Encompass Digital Archive, Eastern Kentucky University"],"dc:rights":["Copyright 2017 Brooke E. King"],"dc:source":["Encompass Digital Archive: Online Theses and Dissertations"],"dc:subject":["grounded theory","occupational science","rock musician","young adult","Other Social and Behavioral Sciences"],"dc:title":["Exploring the Experiences of Young Adult Rock Musicians Through an Occupational Lens"],"dc:type":["Master Thesis"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy"],"thesis:degree_level":["Master's"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Science (MS)"],"thesis:institution_name":["Eastern Kentucky University"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:15:53Z"}