[Development of a questionnaire for the assessment of the voice self-concept].

BACKGROUND

Common self-assessment questionnaires on voice diagnostics focus mostly on functionality of the voice and the impact on the quality of life. Personal aspects such as the relationship with one's own voice and its self-perception are for the most part not taken into consideration.

OBJECTIVES

In this article a questionnaire for the assessment of the voice self-concept (Fragebogen zur Erfassung des stimmlichen Selbstkonzepts, FESS) is introduced.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Reliability and validity were tested with a sample of 308 student teachers. For external validity, the scales were correlated with standardized questionnaires of vocal, physical, and mental health. The scale reliability was also retested in 94 participants.

RESULTS

The principal component analysis confirmed the internal consistency of three subscales on the relationship with one's own voice, the awareness of the use of one's own voice, and the perception of the connection between voice and emotional changes.

CONCLUSION

The FESS questionnaire was shown to be a reliable and valid instrument which supplements existing voice questionnaires by self-related aspects of the voice.