Summary
Objectives
There is evidence in the literature that voice characteristics are linked to mental
and physical health. The aim of this explorative study was to determine associations
between voice parameters measured by a voice range profile (VRP) and personality,
mental and physical health.
Study design
Cross-sectional population-based study.
Methods
As part of the LIFE-Adult-Study, 2639 individuals aged 18-80 years, randomly sampled
from the general population, completed both speaking and singing voice tasks and answered
questionnaires on depression, anxiety, life satisfaction, personality and quality
of life. The voice parameters used were fundamental frequency, sound pressure level,
their ranges and maximum phonation time. The associations were examined with the help
of correlation and regression analyses.
Results
Wider ranges between the lowest and highest frequency, between the lowest and highest
sound pressure level and longer maximum phonation time were significantly correlated
with extraversion and quality of life in both sexes, as well as openness and agreeableness
in women. Smaller ranges and shorter maximum phonation time were significantly correlated
with depression. Neuroticism in men was inversely correlated with the maximum phonation
time. In the speaking VRP, the associations for sound pressure level were more pronounced
than for the fundamental frequency. The same was true in reverse for the singing VRP.
Few associations were found for anxiety, life satisfaction and conscientiousness.
Conclusions
Weak associations between voice parameters derived from the VRP and mental and physical
health, as well as personality were seen in this exploratory study. The results indicate
that the VRP measurements in a clinical context are not significantly affected by
these parameters and thus are a robust measurement method for voice parameters.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 02, 2023
Accepted:
November 18,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
