The Silent Struggle: How Psychological Distress Impacts Teachers’ Vocal Health

Introduction

For teachers, the voice is their most powerful tool—yet it is often taken for granted. Many educators suffer from voice disorders, which can impact their teaching effectiveness, job satisfaction, and overall well-being. A recent study, Association of Psychosocial Work Factors and Psychological Distress With Voice Disorders Among Secondary School Teachers, conducted by researchers from the Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, sheds light on an overlooked occupational health concern.

Key Findings

🔹 Over Half of Teachers Experience Voice Disorders
The study, which involved 1,216 secondary school teachers, found that while the current prevalence of voice disorders was 11.2%, the lifetime prevalence was a staggering 52.4%. This means that more than half of the teachers had suffered from voice-related issues at some point in their careers.

🔹 Mental Health and Voice Disorders Are Closely Linked
Teachers who experienced depression, anxiety, and stress were significantly more likely to develop voice disorders:

• Depression increased the risk by 2.5 times
• Anxiety increased the risk by 2.08 times
• Stress increased the risk by 1.94 times

This confirms that psychological distress plays a crucial role in the development of voice disorders. Stress and anxiety can cause muscle tension in the throat, leading to vocal strain and long-term voice problems.

🔹 Workplace Factors Have Limited Direct Impact
Surprisingly, occupational stress, supervisor support, and coworker support did not show a direct association with voice disorders in the adjusted analysis. This suggests that while workplace conditions are important, the mental health of teachers is a more significant factor in vocal health.

Why This Matters

Teachers depend on their voices every day. When they suffer from voice disorders, it can lead to:
✔ Reduced teaching effectiveness
✔ Increased absenteeism
✔ Lower quality of life

This study highlights the need to prioritise mental health support for teachers, as reducing stress and anxiety can also help prevent voice disorders.

What Can Be Done?

1️⃣ Mental Health Support Programs—Schools should provide access to counselling services and stress management workshops.
2️⃣ Vocal Health Education—Teachers should receive training on proper voice care, including hydration, vocal warm-ups, and avoiding vocal strain.
3️⃣ Workplace Wellness Initiatives—Schools can create a more supportive environment by promoting work-life balance and addressing factors that contribute to teacher burnout.

Final Thoughts

Voice disorders among teachers are not just a vocal health issue—they are a mental health issue. By addressing psychological distress, schools can protect educators’ voices and well-being, ultimately creating a healthier and more effective teaching environment.

Note: The research was conducted by Dr. Patrick Peng Wee Yao as part of his Doctor of Public Health program at Universiti Malaya under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Moy Foong Ming and Prof. Dr. Victor CW Hoe. Dr. Patrick Peng has successfully completed his viva voce on the 9th of December 2024.