Voices and Minds at Risk: A Preliminary Analysis of Predictive Factors Affecting Teachers' Vocal and Mental Health

To analyze the factors associated with work-related voice disorders (WRVDs) and common mental disorders (CMDs) in teachers.

Observational, cross-sectional, analytical study with 175 public school teachers from a Brazilian capital city, using a self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, teaching activity, work environment, vocal and mental health, exposure to school violence, and lifestyle habits. The analysis included descriptive statistics and calculation of prevalence ratios, with their respective 95% confidence intervals.

Most of the 175 teachers were women (66.7%), married (49.1%), with a mean age of 47.96 years (Standard deviation = 9.56) and an average of 20 years of teaching experience (Standard deviation = 8.16). The teachers worked approximately 36 hours per week, with 35 students per classroom, and had an average monthly income of R$4654.5 (approximately USD 822.94). Altogether, 42% had scores indicative of WRVD, while 32% had scores indicative of CMD. Variables related to the school conditions, psychosocial factors of teaching, general health (especially respiratory health and CMD), household chores, and violence and insecurity at school were associated with WRVD. Similarly, CMD among teachers was associated with a set of similar variables, such as school conditions, psychosocial factors of teaching, vocal and respiratory health, household and cultural activities, and violence and insecurity at school.

The study reveals the high prevalence of WRVD and CMD in public school teachers, evidencing the multifactorial impact on their well-being and highlighting the need for interventions to mitigate these problems.