Open AccessDisease‐Specific Self‐efficacy in Spasmodic Dysphonia
Author(s) -
Hu Amanda,
Isetti Derek,
Hillel Al,
Waugh Pat,
Meyer Tanya K.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599812451426a208
Subject(s) - cronbach's alpha , spasmodic dysphonia , hospital anxiety and depression scale , medicine , anxiety , disease , botulinum toxin , psychology , physical therapy , psychometrics , clinical psychology , psychiatry , surgery
Objective Self‐efficacy (SE) is an optimistic self‐belief that one can cope with adversity. For chronic conditions, a standardized measure of SE is a strong predictor of health behaviors. Our objectives were to study SE in spasmodic dysphonia (SD) and to develop a disease‐specific SE‐SD scale. Method Disease‐specific SE‐SD items were developed through expert opinion. These items, general SE scale, Voice Handicap Index (VHI), Consensus Auditory Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE‐V), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were administered to SD patients who presented to University of Washington for botulinum toxin injections over a 6‐month period. Results Eighty SD patients completed the study with a mean age 58.7 years. The general self‐efficacy score (Cronbach’s α =. 871) was 34.7 ± 3.7 out of 40 and was negatively correlated with VHI ( r = −0.22, P =. 08), CAPEV ( r = −0.14, P =. 36), and HADS‐A ( r = −0.50, P <. 001) and HADS‐D ( r = −0.53, P <. 001). Factor analysis was performed and selected 7 items from the general self‐efficacy scale and 6 disease‐specific SE‐SD items to generate a 13‐item disease specific SE‐SD scale (Cronbach’s α =. 913). Disease‐specific SE‐SD score was 43.9 ± 5.6 out of 52 and is negatively correlated with VHI ( r = −0.35, P =. 001), CAPE‐V ( r = −0.29, P =. 026), HADS‐A ( r = −0.49, P <. 001), and HADS‐D ( r = −0.58, P <. 001). Conclusion SD patients who are established with botulinum toxin injections have a high degree of general SE and disease‐specific SE. Patients with higher SE demonstrate higher subjective and objective vocal quality and lower levels of anxiety and depression. A 13‐item disease specific SE‐SD scale has been developed.