Validity and reliability of nonverbal voice measures as indicators of stressor-provoked anxiety

To determine the validity and reliability of vocal jitter, tenseness, and pitch as measures of stressor-provoked anxiety, 88 women representing three coping styles (Highly Anxious, Truly Low Anxious, and Repressor) phonated vowels, reported anxiety, and provided measures of muscle tension, heart rate, and sweating 2 weeks before, the day before, and 1 week after stressful exams. Greater self-reported anxiety, sweating, and heart rate on the day before versus the other occasions confirmed the day before was the most stressful occasion. Results suggest excellent validity and reliability for Jitter as an indicator of stressor-provoked anxiety.