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Does allergic rhinitis affect communication skills in young adults?

  • Rhinology
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic disorder with a high prevalence in the general population. The symptoms of AR can impair the cognitive capabilities of the affected people. The study of communication skills and AR interaction has not been adequately discussed. We aimed to analyze Social Communication Skills of university students with AR. Fifty patients suffering from AR and 50 healthy subjects were studied. All participants completed two questionnaires [Social Communication Skills Rating Scale (SCSRS) and Communication Questionnaire] for the assessment of social communication skills. Total scores of both SCSRS and Communication Questionnaire were higher in participants with AR than controls. When the questions of SCSRS were compared between the groups one by one, significant difference was observed between the groups for questions numbered 1–9 and 11, 12 (p < 0.05). Also, significant differences were observed between the groups for questions numbered 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of Communication Questionnaire (p < 0.05). Results of our study indicate that AR could negatively affect the social communication skills of the patients with AR. More research is however needed to validate this hypothesis.

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Acknowledgement

The authors thank to Prof. Sadullah Sakallioglu (Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey, Faculty of Sciences and Letters, Department of Practical Statistics) for statistical advise.

“Except data collection, preparation of this paper including designing and planning was supported by Continuous Education and Scientific Research Association”.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Communication Design and Management, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Turkey

    Can Cemal Cingi

  2. ENT Clinics, Elazığ Training and Research Hospital, Elazig, Turkey

    Öner Sakallıoğlu

  3. ENT Department, Faculty of Medicine, Kırıkkale University, Kirikkale, Turkey

    Nuray Bayar Muluk

  4. ENT Department, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey

    Cemal Cingi

  5. Birlik Mahallesi, Zirvekent 2. Etap Sitesi, C-3 blok, No: 62/43, 06610, Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey

    Nuray Bayar Muluk

Authors
  1. Can Cemal Cingi
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  2. Öner Sakallıoğlu
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  3. Nuray Bayar Muluk
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  4. Cemal Cingi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nuray Bayar Muluk.

Appendices

Appendix 1: Social Communication Skills Rating Scale (Adult Form-Public Interaction Skills (SCSRS)

SCSRS was used for rating the social communication skills. The adult form scale was used: (1) shows Rarely uses abilities, (2) shows Sometimes uses abilities, (3) shows Almost always uses abilities.

There are 15 items of SCSRS:

  1. 1.

    Eye contact (EC): looks at others while talking and listening.

  2. 2.

    Volume (V): speaks by compatible sound volume to the situation.

  3. 3.

    Voice (Voi): avoids to use unsuitable voice tones (Boasting, whining, like a boss, sarcastic, etc).

  4. 4.

    Facial expression (EF): avoids the use of unsuitable facial expressions (Rude, grumpy, stuck-up view, etc).

  5. 5.

    Posture (P): uses appropriate standing and sitting postures on the situation.

  6. 6.

    Inter-Personal distance (PD): uses appropriate distance with others at standing or sitting.

  7. 7.

    Hygiene (H): keeps body and clothes clean in good order.

  8. 8.

    Body language (BL): uses appropriate body language on the situation.

  9. 9.

    Attitude (A): uses Appropriate manners on the situation (Says “Please”, “Thank you”, “I’m sorry”, “Excuse me”).

  10. 10.

    Listening principles (LP): during listening, body language reflects “I’m listening to you” and “I think about the things said”.

  11. 11.

    Stop/Change Topics (SCT): continues to conversation or change the conversation subjects smoothly.

  12. 12.

    Speeches (S): starts speech with salute, waits for order and listens during speech, and finishes with goodbye.

  13. 13.

    Interrupt/Cutting (IC): interrupts appropriately when needed.

  14. 14.

    The right time and place (RTP): thinks appropriate time and place for the things he will do and say.

  15. 15.

    Official or Natural Formation (ONF): knows why and how a more formal (be fitting and respectful) or natural (relax and natural) behave.

Appendix 2: Communication Questionnaire

figure a

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Cingi, C.C., Sakallıoğlu, Ö., Muluk, N.B. et al. Does allergic rhinitis affect communication skills in young adults?. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 273, 115–121 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-015-3531-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-015-3531-y

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