Culturally diverse attitudes and beliefs of students majoring in speech-language pathology

ABSTRACT Purpose Academic education in speech-language pathology should prepare students to provide professional services that mirror current knowledge, skills, and scope of practice in a pluralistic society. This study seeks to examine the impact of speech-language pathology (SLP) students prior multicultural experiences and previous formal education on attitudes and beliefs toward language diversity. Methods A survey to investigate SLP students attitudes toward language diversity was applied. After the research study and instructions to complete the consent form questionnaire was presented by a research assistant, an announcement was given by a graduate student who speaks English as a second language with an accent. The participants then completed a questionnaire containing questions related to attitudes about the presentation of the announcement in particular and toward language diversity in general. Results Responses suggested a relationship between self-reported cultural bias and ability to concentrate on speech with an accent, and the extent of interaction with individuals from a cultural and linguistic diverse (CLD) background. Additional outcomes revealed that cultural bias may be predicted by factors related to amount of CLD exposure. Conclusion Results of this study indicated critical areas that need to be considered when developing curricula in speech-language pathology programs. The results will be useful in determining procedures applicable in larger investigations, and encourage future research on attitudes and beliefs toward aspects of cultural diversity.

Effects of caffeine on vocal acoustic and aerodynamic measures of adult females / Efeitos da cafeína na voz avaliados por medidas acústicas e aerodinâmicas em mulheres adultas

PURPOSE: To explore the effect of caffeine on voice, as evidenced by acoustic and aerodynamic measures, based on the fact that caffeine is considered to be a systemic dehydrating agent. METHODS: The participants in this investigation were 58 females ranging in age from 18 to 35 years, who self-reported normal vocal production. The participants abstained from caffeine ingestion for 24 hours and from ingesting foods and liquids for 12 hours prior to the test. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups, control and experimental, and were individually tested. After the preliminary phase, participants in the experimental group ingested a 100 mg caffeine tablet; participants in the control group ingested placebo, and followed the same protocol as the experimental group. All participants were retested 30 minutes after ingesting caffeine or placebo. RESULTS: Differences were not identified in any of the acoustic or aerodynamic measures across both groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a conservative (100 mg) dosage of caffeine may not have an impact on vocal acoustics and aerodynamics.

OBJETIVO: Explorar o efeito da cafeína na voz, evidenciado por medidas acústicas e aerodinâmicas, visto que a cafeína é considerada um agente desidratador. MÉTODOS: As participantes desta investigação foram 58 mulheres entre 18 e 35 anos de idade, que reportaram produção de voz normal. As participantes se abstiveram da ingestão de cafeína por 24 horas e de alimentos sólidos e líquidos por 12 horas antes do teste. Elas foram incluídas aleatoriamente em grupos controle e experimental e individualmente testadas. Após a fase preliminar, as integrantes do grupo experimental ingeriram um tablete de 100 mg de cafeína; o grupo controle ingeriu placebo e seguiu protocolo idêntico ao do grupo experimental. Todas as participantes foram retestadas 30 minutos após a administração de cafeína ou placebo. RESULTADOS: Não houve identificação de diferenças nas medidas em questão. CONCLUSÃO: Esses resultados sugerem que uma dose moderada (100 mg) de cafeína pode não ter impacto na acústica e aerodinâmica vocais.