Validity of the Voice and Communication Situation Questionnaire for People Presumed Female at Birth (VCSQPFAB) in Serving the Needs of Professional Singers
Open AccessBackground: Voice and communication situations for individuals presumed female at birth who do not identify with or are uncomfortable with that designation (PFAB) are no longer assumed to be unproblematic or resolved with testosterone treatment. Presentational, attributional, and normative factors considered in the professional literature include voice function and vocal demands generally, without focus on professional singers. Vocal function and sociocultural demands specific to a singer’s communication situation would need to be considered in pedagogical and clinical approaches with PFAB singers. This study explores the validity of the Voice and Communication Situation Questionnaire for People Presumed Female At Birth (VCSQPFAB) for PFAB singers. Methods: Five PFAB professional singers completed a survey and semi-structured, facilitated focus group discussion. Participant voice and communication situations varied in terms of singing experience, genre, and goals as well as by professional support (e.g., hormones, teachers). Six researchers analyzed the participant's responses using a consensual qualitative research method. Results: Four domains describe the communication and vocal situations of five PFAB professional singers: voice function, communication-related well-being, sociocultural belonging, and singing style/genre. Within each of these, subdomains and themes emerged to provide further information about what is important to these PFAB singers. Hormone use, personal gender positioning, and singer background had significant but variable impacts on participant experiences. Most results aligned with the perspectives of previous PFAB research; however, factors distinctly impacting PFAB singers were revealed. Positive and negative factors impact PFAB singer’s voice and communication situation, such as singing voice training (social resource), the culture of classical music and gender identity (psychological stressor) and singing-related communities (sociocultural belonging). PFAB singers may have unique conceptualizations regarding how their voices are used in different contexts (e.g., speaking versus singing), which may vary based upon singing style/genre. It is unknown whether this may assist or hinder a singer’s vocal experience. The VCSQPFAB was validated by all participants for use in the clinical setting with minimal suggestions for modifications and supplemental information relevant for professionals working with PFAB singers. Conclusion: In addition to current characterizations of PFAB vocal situations, those of PFAB singers have unique elements. The VCSQPFAB may be used with PFAB singers with the addition of follow-up questions tailored to the needs of the individual. Future research may include the development of a PFAB singer-specific tool to serve the unique needs of members of this population.
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