Common Mental Disorders and Self-Perceived Interpersonal Communication and Vocal Symptoms in University Professors

Abstract

Objective

To determine the prevalence of common mental disorders in university professors and to analyze the same with sociodemographic and occupational data, self-perceived interpersonal communication, and vocal symptoms.

Methods

A Cross-sectional analytical observational quantitative study with 322 university professors. Four assessment instruments: the Sociodemographic and Work Information Questionnaire, the Self-Report Questionnaire, the Brazilian Dysphonia Screening Tool, the Interpersonal Communication Competence Scale, and the Voice Symptom Scale. The study performed descriptive and association analyses. The measure of association was the prevalence ratio, estimated with Poisson regression with robust invariance, considering common mental disorders as a dependent variable.

Results

The prevalence of common mental disorders in university professors was 27.6%. There was a significant association between such disorders and self-perceived vocal complaints, the suspicion of dysphonia, and self-perceived difficulties in regards to being heard with a mask (sometimes/always). The higher the score in the self-disclosure domain of the Interpersonal Communication Competence Scale the higher the prevalence of common mental disorders in university professors.

Conclusion

The prevalence of common mental disorders in university professors is high and influences their self-perception of vocal symptoms and interpersonal relationships. Hence, it reinforces the need for measures to maintain university professors’ vocal and mental health.