An instrument to assess self-statements during public speaking: scale development and preliminary psychometric properties

Abstract

Public speaking is the most commonly reported fearful social situation. Although a number of contemporary theories emphasize the importance of cognitive processes in social anxiety, there is no instrument available to assess fearful thoughts experienced during public speaking. The Self-Statements During Public Speaking (SSPS) scale is a 10-item questionnaire consisting of two 5-item subscales, the "Positive Self-Statements" (SSPS-P) and the "Negative Self-Statements" subscale (SSPS-N). Four studies report on the development and the preliminary psychometric properties of this instrument.

Figures

Figure 1

Subjective distress during baseline (BSL), preparation (PREP), anticipation (ANT), and public speaking (TASK) in participants scoring high (N = 7) and low (N = 9) on the SSPS-N subscale.