First Advisor

Rhea Paul

Date of Publication

3-19-1997

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech and Hearing Sciences

Department

Speech Communication

Subjects

Laryngectomees -- Rehabilitation, Speech, Alaryngeal

DOI

10.15760/etd.7254

Physical Description

1 online resource, (98p.)

Abstract

This research sought to examine the level of psychosocial adjustment in a sample of laryngectomees by describing demographic characteristics, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use pre-cancer diagnosis and currently, satisfaction with voice, and by examining the relationship between each subject's level of psychosocial adjustment and lifestyle change, i.e. cessation of tobacco and/or alcohol consumption, and satisfaction with voice.

Twenty-one subjects completed (a) Demographic Questionnaire, (b) Lifestyle Questionnaire, (c) Satisfaction with Voice Scale, and (d) Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self Report (PAIS-SR). Descriptive and inferential statistics were completed.

The average age of the subject group (16 males, 5 females) was 72.5 years, by far the oldest group of laryngectomees studied up to this point. Average time post-onset of laryngectomy was 14 years. Ten subjects (48%) used esophageal speech, 8 (38%) used artificial larynx; and 5 (24%) used tracheoesophageal devices. Eighty-six percent of the subjects reported laryngectomy support group membership. Eighty-one percent of subjects described current health status as "good" or "very good." Ninety-five percent of subjects 2 reported having smoked pre-cancer diagnosis for an average of 41.25 years. Eighteen subjects (90 % ) reported smoking one or more packs of cigarettes daily. Twenty subjects (95%) reported alcohol consumption pre-cancer diagnosis, with 10 males (67%) and 4 females (80%) consuming alcohol daily. Self-report indicated partial lifestyle change following laryngectomy surgery. Ninety-five percent of the subjects had ceased smoking. One male subject reported one-half to one pack of cigarettes current daily consumption. Thirty-eight percent of subjects (8 males) reported current daily alcohol consumption averaging two to three units. Female subjects reported virtual cessation of alcohol consumption since laryngectomy. Results of the PAIS-SR were questionable; 5 subjects failed to answer a sufficient number of questions. Cautious analysis of the results suggests that 71 % of subjects were "well-adjusted" and 29 % "poorly adjusted." T-tests and a correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data. Significant differences were found between the scores of the "well-adjusted" group and the "poorly adjusted group." The relationship between level of adjustment and cessation of drinking/smoking as well as the relationship between level of adjustment and degree of satisfaction with voice were not significant.

Comments

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Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/30879

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