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Pirinen V, Loukusa S, Eggers K, Sivonen J, Mäkinen L, Mämmelä L, Ebeling H, Mattila ML, Hurtig T. Could linguistic and cognitive factors, degree of autistic traits and sex predict speech disfluencies in autistic young adults and controls? CLINICAL LINGUISTICS & PHONETICS 2024:1-18. [PMID: 38802330 DOI: 10.1080/02699206.2024.2357158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of linguistic complexity and individual background variables (i.e. linguistic and cognitive abilities, degree of autistic traits, and sex) on speech disfluencies in autistic young adults and controls. Thirty-two 19- to 33-year-old autistic adults and 35 controls participated in this study. The frequency of disfluencies and stuttering severity were evaluated based on a narrative speech task. Linguistic complexity was assessed by evaluating the syntactic structures of the narratives. Cognitive and linguistic abilities were assessed using the General Ability Index (GAI), Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI) and Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI) from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale IV. Autistic traits were measured using the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Multiple-linear regression analyses (syntactic complexity, GAI, AQ, sex, and group status as predictors) showed that (a) syntactic complexity predicted total and stuttering-like disfluencies and stuttering severity, (b) GAI predicted typical disfluencies, and (c) sex predicted total, typical, and stuttering-like disfluencies. Additional correlation analyses revealed negative association between PRI and disfluencies in the control group but not in the autistic group. No connection was found between AQ and disfluencies. It seems that while some connections between disfluencies and individual cognitive features were found, some of the possible contributing factors for greater speech disfluency might differ between autistic and typical speakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veera Pirinen
- Research Unit of Logopedics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Soile Loukusa
- Research Unit of Logopedics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Kurt Eggers
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Thomas More University College, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Jari Sivonen
- Research Unit for Languages and Literature, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Leena Mäkinen
- Research Unit of Logopedics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Laura Mämmelä
- Research Unit of Logopedics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Hanna Ebeling
- Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Child Psychiatry, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Child Psychiatry, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Marja-Leena Mattila
- Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Child Psychiatry, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Child Psychiatry, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tuula Hurtig
- Child Psychiatry, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
- Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Psychiatry, Child Psychiatry, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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Pirinen V, Eggers K, Dindar K, Helminen T, Kotila A, Kuusikko-Gauffin S, Mäkinen L, Ebeling H, Hurtig T, Mäntymaa M, Loukusa S. Associations between social anxiety, physiological reactivity, and speech disfluencies in autistic young adults and controls. JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS 2024; 109:106425. [PMID: 38593561 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2024.106425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to examine possible associations of social anxiety (SA) and speaking-related physiological reactivity with the frequencies of a) total disfluencies, b) typical disfluencies, and c) stuttering-like disfluencies, as well as d) stuttering-severity in autistic young adults and controls. METHODS Thirty-two autistic young adults and 35 controls participated in this study. Participants were presented with video clips (viewing condition) and were then asked to talk about the videos (narrating condition). SA was measured by the self-report Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SPAI). Speaking-related physiological reactivity was measured by the electrodermal activity (EDA), an index of emotional arousal. The speech samples from the narrating condition were analyzed for type and frequency of speech disfluencies and used for determining the stuttering severity. SA and speaking-related physiological reactivity were compared between the groups. Correlation between SA, physiological reactivity, disfluency frequencies, and stuttering severity were tested separately for both groups. RESULTS No between-group differences were found in the overall SA, yet differences were found in SPAI subscales of social interaction, group interaction, and avoidance, as well as in agoraphobia. Both groups had higher physiological arousal in narrating condition in comparison to the video viewing condition, yet there was no between-group difference in the reactivity. No associations were found between SPAI measures, physiological reactivity, disfluency frequencies, and stuttering severity in the autistic group. In the control group, a negative association was found between physiological reactivity and total and typical disfluency frequencies. CONCLUSIONS SA or speaking-related physiological reactivity were not associated with disfluency frequencies or stuttering severity in autistic persons. Negative association between physiological reactivity and disfluency frequencies found in the control group may indicate that the physiological arousal may impact the speech production process by reducing the overt disfluencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veera Pirinen
- Research Unit of Logopedics, University of Oulu, Finland.
| | - Kurt Eggers
- Dept. of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium; Dept. of Speech-Language Pathology, Thomas More University College, Antwerp, Belgium; Dept. of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, University of Turku, Finland
| | - Katja Dindar
- Research Unit of Logopedics, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Terhi Helminen
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Psychology, Tampere University, Finland
| | - Aija Kotila
- Research Unit of Logopedics, University of Oulu, Finland
| | | | - Leena Mäkinen
- Research Unit of Logopedics, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Hanna Ebeling
- Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Child Psychiatry, University of Oulu, Finland; Child Psychiatry, Oulu University Hospital, Finland
| | - Tuula Hurtig
- Child Psychiatry, Oulu University Hospital, Finland; Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Psychiatry, Child Psychiatry, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Mirjami Mäntymaa
- Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Child Psychiatry, University of Oulu, Finland; Child Psychiatry, Oulu University Hospital, Finland
| | - Soile Loukusa
- Research Unit of Logopedics, University of Oulu, Finland
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Croft RL, Byrd CT. Clinical and Psychosocial Predictors of Post-Event Processing in Adults Who Stutter. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2023; 66:4259-4279. [PMID: 37816227 PMCID: PMC10715847 DOI: 10.1044/2023_jslhr-23-00245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Post-event processing, defined by self-critical rumination following a stressful communication event, is significantly associated with reduced quality of life. However, despite its relevance to the stuttering experience, to date, only a few studies have investigated post-event processing among adults who stutter, and no study has identified clinical and psychosocial predictors of post-event processing. The purpose of this study was to determine the contributions of clinical markers of stuttering and psychosocial variables to post-event processing. METHOD Adults who stutter (N = 96) participated in two virtual sessions. After completing the Trier Social Stress Test, a standardized social stress task in Session 1, participants completed measures of post-event processing, clinical markers of stuttering (i.e., the experience of stuttering, self- and observer-rated stuttering severity), and psychosocial characteristics (i.e., self-perceived performance, self-esteem, social anxiety, trait, and state self-compassion) in Session 2. RESULTS Hierarchical linear regression models indicated that a more negative experience of stuttering, higher self-rated stuttering severity, and greater social anxiety predicted more post-event processing. Greater self-perceived performance and state self-compassion predicted less rumination. Observer-rated severity, self-esteem, and trait self-compassion were not significantly associated with post-event processing behavior. CONCLUSION Findings reveal clinical and psychosocial variables to consider in the assessment and mitigation of post-event processing behavior in adults who stutter, and to bolster resiliency to social stress. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24223213.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn L. Croft
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin
| | - Courtney T. Byrd
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin
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Bauerly KR, Mefferd A. The effects of attentional focus on speech motor control in adults who stutter with and without social evaluative threat. JOURNAL OF FLUENCY DISORDERS 2023; 77:105995. [PMID: 37494845 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfludis.2023.105995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We sought to investigate the effects of cued attentional shifts on speechmotor control in adults who stutter (AWS) and adults who do not stutter (ANS) when speaking under low and high social stress conditions. METHOD Thirteen AWS' and 10 ANS' lip aperture (LA) and posterior tongue (PT) movements were assessed under a Cued-Internal and Cued-External attentional focus condition with and without social stress induction (i.e. speaking to an audience). Skin conductance levels were used to measure a stress response. Speech motor control was assessed by measuring movement duration and variability of movement for LA and PT using the spatial temporal index (STI). RESULTS A significant Group x Condition interaction was found for LA STI. Post-hoc comparisons indicated AWS' LA STI significantly decreased under Cued External Focus conditions during both low and high social stress. No significant Group x Condition interaction was found for PT STI. AWS showed significantly slower tongue movements (PT) across all low and high social stress conditions; however, there was no significant Group x Condition interaction for PT or LA. DISCUSSION Findings yield preliminary insights into the role of attentional focus on speech motor control when speaking during high social stress. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim R Bauerly
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.
| | - Antje Mefferd
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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Menjot P, Bettahi L, Leclercq AL, Durieux N, Remacle A. Interventions That Target or Affect Voice or Speech Production During Public Speaking: A Scoping Review. J Voice 2023:S0892-1997(23)00203-5. [PMID: 37487795 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2023.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Public speaking (PS) is frequently necessary in many professional, educational, and personal settings. Mastering this communication skill is particularly important in today's society. Training techniques for PS have been described in the literature. Given that PS anxiety affects performance, especially voice characteristics and speech fluency, the purpose of this scoping review is to examine, map, and narratively summarize the available evidence on PS interventions that target or affect voice or speech. METHODS An extensive literature search was conducted in three bibliographic databases: Medline ALL/Ovid, PsycINFO/Ovid, and Eric/Ovid. Of the 850 studies identified, 22 met the eligibility criteria, and one was added from the reference lists of the included studies. RESULTS A total of 23 studies were included. The interventions identified aim to improve speaking skills either by explicitly targeting the voice or speech (direct intervention, n = 15) or by targeting the cognitive, behavioral, psychological, or physical environment impacting the speaker's production (indirect intervention, n = 8). CONCLUSIONS This scoping review provides the first published methodological summary of the characteristics of existing PS interventions that target or affect voice and speech. Heterogeneous characteristics were observed. Further studies are needed to determine which interventions are most effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Menjot
- Research Unit for a Life-Course Perspective on Health and Education, Faculty of Psychology, Speech Therapy and Education Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
| | - Lamia Bettahi
- Research Unit for a Life-Course Perspective on Health and Education, Faculty of Psychology, Speech Therapy and Education Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Anne-Lise Leclercq
- Research Unit for a Life-Course Perspective on Health and Education, Faculty of Psychology, Speech Therapy and Education Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Nancy Durieux
- Research Unit for a Life-Course Perspective on Health and Education, Faculty of Psychology, Speech Therapy and Education Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Angélique Remacle
- Research Unit for a Life-Course Perspective on Health and Education, Faculty of Psychology, Speech Therapy and Education Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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Baynard-Montague J, James LE. A stress mindset manipulation can affect speakers' articulation rate. ANXIETY, STRESS, AND COPING 2023:1-12. [PMID: 36812297 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2023.2179621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Mindsets about stress can be altered so that people interpret stress as either a positive or negative force. We exposed participants to a stress mindset intervention to test its effects on a challenging speech production task. DESIGN AND METHOD Participants (N = 60) were randomly assigned to a stress mindset condition. In the stress-is-enhancing (SIE) condition, they viewed a brief video that characterized stress as a positive force that benefits performance. In the stress-is-debilitating (SID) condition, the video characterized stress as a negative force that should be avoided. Each participant completed a self-report measure of stress mindset, performed a psychological stressor task, and then repeatedly produced tongue twisters aloud. Speech errors and articulation time were scored for the production task. RESULTS The manipulation check confirmed that stress mindsets were altered after viewing the videos. Participants in the SIE condition articulated the phrases more quickly than those in the SID condition without an accompanying increase in errors. CONCLUSIONS A stress mindset manipulation affected speech production. This finding indicates that one way to mitigate the negative effects of stress on speech production is to instantiate beliefs that stress is a positive force that can enhance performance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lori E James
- Psychology Department, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
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Bauerly K. Attentional Biases in Adults Who Stutter before and following Social Threat Induction. Folia Phoniatr Logop 2022; 74:239-253. [DOI: 10.1159/000519865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> We know that adults who stutter report higher levels of social anxiety [Craig and Tran: J Fluency Disord 2014;40:35–43; Iverach et al.: J Anxiety Disord 2009;23(7):928–34]. What is not clear is whether adults who stutter develop maladaptive attentional shifts, similar to what is observed in socially anxious individuals, in response to social anxiety. The purpose of this study was to investigate the attentional biases in adults who stutter compared to adults who do not stutter before and after social evaluative threat induction and determine whether responses are associated with objective and subjective measures of anxiety. <b><i>Method:</i></b> Twelve adults who stutter and 14 matched adults who do not stutter performed a modified response time paradigm, the dot-probe task, where they responded to a probe appearing behind one of two faces, one emotional (positive or negative) and one neutral. Participant’s reaction times were measured before and after a social threat induction task. Skin conductance levels were used as an index of induced stress. Self-reports of trait and social anxiety were used as subjective measures of anxiety. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Adults who stutter compared to controls exhibited an attentional bias towards negative facial expressions following a social evaluative threat induction. This effect remained when covarying for levels of trait and social anxiety. Before social evaluative threat induction, visual inspection of the data showed that adults who stutter compared to adults who do not stutter avoided positive facial expressions as they attended more to the negative facial expressions; however, these differences were not significant. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> This study provides evidence for a maladaptive attentional behavior in adults who stutter when undergoing feelings of social evaluative threat. Results provide rationale for research aimed at assessing the use of attention restructuring in highly anxious adults who stutter.
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Schmank CJ, James LE. Adults of all ages experience increased tip-of-the-tongue states under ostensible evaluative observation. AGING NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2019; 27:517-531. [PMID: 31294648 DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2019.1641177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In previous research, young adults who were told they were being observed and evaluated reported more tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) instances than those who were not. We first tested whether the same effect is obtained for older adult participants, and then compared the effects of ostensible evaluative observation on word retrieval for adults across the lifespan. Participants in the observed condition were told they were being evaluated throughout the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) procedure and a word retrieval task, whereas participants in the unobserved condition performed similar tasks with no mention of observation or evaluation. In Experiment 1, older adult participants in the observed condition experienced more TOTs than those in the unobserved condition. In Experiment 2, observation increased TOTs to a similar extent for adults ages 18-80, replicating earlier findings with young adults and Experiment 1. Observation can impair cognitive performance similarly for adults of a wide range of ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Schmank
- Psychology Department, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
| | - Lori E James
- Psychology Department, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
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