Psychological Interventions for Reducing Public Speaking Anxiety in Adults with Speech Impairments

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of psychological interventions, specifically cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and exposure therapy, in reducing public speaking anxiety in adults with speech impairments. Public speaking anxiety is prevalent in this population, often exacerbated by communication challenges, which limit participation in social and professional contexts. Previous research supports the effectiveness of these interventions for general social anxiety, but limited evidence exists on their specific application for individuals with speech impairments. A quantitative, randomized, controlled design was employed with a sample of n=100 adults diagnosed with speech impairments and public speaking anxiety. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three intervention groups or a control group, with data collected at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up using the Public Speaking Anxiety Scale (PSAS), Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (BFNE), and Connor-Davidson 2023 Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Results indicated significant reductions in anxiety across all intervention groups compared to the control, with CBT showing the largest effect (F(2, 188) = 85.3, p < .001). The findings highlight the potential of psychological interventions to reduce public speaking anxiety and improve resilience in adults with speech impairments, emphasizing the need for integrated treatment approaches. Future research should explore combined therapeutic approaches and include qualitative data for a more comprehensive understanding.