Abstract
To identify the prevalence of fear of public speaking and verify its association with sociodemographic variables, self-perception of voice, speech, and oral communication skills in public. A cross-sectional and analytical study with 1,124 university students was carried out. An online questionnaire addressed was performed, considering factors as sociodemographic characteristics; fear of speaking; Scale for Self-Assessment When Speaking in Public (SSPS), self-perception of the voice, the ability to grasp, and keep the listener's attention and influence another. The fear of public speaking was prevalent in undergraduate students. There was an association of the fear of speaking with the vocal self-perception, with the ability to capture and keep the listener's attention and to influence another with their communication. Individuals who have the ability to capture and maintain the attention of the interlocutor are more likely to be afraid of public speaking than the undergraduate students who perceive themselves as having the ability to influence the listener with their communication. The more communicative skills and more persuasive the individual perceives his or her self, the less likely he or she is to be affected by the fear of speaking.
Highlights
Higher education demands responsibility, exceptional performance, good interpersonal relationships, and new skills and competencies[1] from university students
Fear is associated with negative self-perception of the voice, little participation in oral communication activities[6], and avoidant and negative coping strategies when speaking in public[7]
Somatic symptoms are present among university students, with the most frequent being wheezing (95.6%) and tachycardia (64.7%)
Summary
Exceptional performance, good interpersonal relationships, and new skills and competencies[1] from university students These skills and competencies include the ability to speak in public, which is constantly solicited during presentations of works, seminars, or scientific events[2]. Fear is associated with negative self-perception of the voice, little participation in oral communication activities[6], and avoidant and negative coping strategies when speaking in public[7]. It is a psychosocial stressor, related to characteristics of social anxiety disorder that may be generalized or performance[1]. It is manifested by somatic symptoms, behavioral responses, and cognitive aspects[8,9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
