The influence of clinical terminology on self-efficacy for voice

Abstract

Self-efficacy is defined as one's belief in one's ability to carry out a specific behavior successfully. The current study's objective is to obtain initial evidence in support of the hypothesis that the terms ‘vocal abuse/misuse’ have the potential to harm self-efficacy for voice and may impact adherence with therapeutic directives. Teachers with voice problems were exposed to the terms ‘abuse/misuse’ or ‘phonotrauma/muscle tension’ as describing the origin of common voice problems. Pre- and post-exposures, subjects completed a Voice Self-Efficacy Questionnaire that was specially designed for the study. Results provide preliminary support for the hypothesis that clinical exposure to ‘abuse/misuse’ terminology may harm normal increases in self-efficacy for voice that are generally expected following education about medical conditions.

Key words::

• Misuse
• muscle tension
• phonotrauma
• self-efficacy
• teachers
• voice
• vocal abuse

Acknowledgements

This study was conducted as a master's thesis by the first author, under the guidance of the second author. This paper was originally presented at the 38th Annual Symposium of the Voice Foundation in June, 2009. The authors would like to acknowledge the valuable assistance of Dr Elaine Rubenstein for statistical consulting. The authors would also like to acknowledge the support of Dr Jackie Gartner-Schmidt, Dr Christine Dollaghan, and Dr William Klein.

Declaration of interest: The work was supported by the University of Pittsburgh's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences’ student research grant, to the first author, and Grant R01 DC005643 from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, to the second author.