Depression Among Teachers According to the Risk of Voice Disorders.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Psychology

Background:

• Teachers are professional voice users facing risks to vocal health from intensive use, noisy environments, and occupational stress.
• Psycho-emotional factors, including depression, can negatively impact vocal health in educators.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare depressive symptoms between teachers at risk for voice disorders and those without.
• To examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and voice-related disability in teachers at risk for voice disorders.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 130 teachers, divided into at-risk (n=64) and control (n=66) groups using the Screening Index for Voice Disorder (SIVD-TR).
• Voice-related disability assessed using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10).
• Depressive symptoms evaluated using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).

Main Results:

• Teachers at risk for voice disorders had significantly more professional experience and larger class sizes.
• The at-risk group exhibited significantly higher VHI-10 and CES-D scores.
• Significant positive correlations were found between SIVD-TR and VHI-10, VHI-10 and CES-D, and SIVD-TR and CES-D scores.

Conclusions:

• Teachers at risk for voice disorders report higher levels of voice problems and depression.
• A significant relationship exists between voice-related disability and depressive symptoms in this population.
• Screening programs and consideration of psycho-emotional state are crucial for teachers' vocal health and well-being.