Effects of Lifestyle Change and Satisfaction with Voice on Psychosocial Adjustment of Laryngectomees

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