“Singing chases away the blues.” knowledge and use of the voice as health promotion resources for choristers

Abstract

Objective: To comprehend the knowledge and use of the voice by female choristers and the implications for health promotion, according to their interpretations. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted from December 2011 to February 2012 with 13 women aged 23 to 66 years old, members of a university chorus, in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. A semi-structured interview was used for data collection. Thematic analysis was used to organize the results into categories, which were analyzed according to the symbolic interactionism. Results: Two core meanings were identified: knowledge regarding the voice and the use of the voice. The participants defined the voice as a means of communication, a personal identity, and a way to express feelings. They did not show consistent knowledge of the anatomical or physiological aspects of the voice, but the given definitions show they understand that the voice permeates personal, social, and professional spaces. The professional voice and aging emerged as two of the most prominent issues in the context of the vocal use. The participants recognize that knowledge and use of the voice can be improved by the activities in the choir, which leads to health promotion. Conclusion: The choristers show limited knowledge about vocal health, yet they comprehend the beneficial effects of chorus on women’s health, raising their understanding of vocal health; that stimulates the adoption of healthy habits and preventive measures, which favors the vocal use.

Keywords

• Women’s Health
• Health Promotion
• Communication
• Voice