Sense of Coherence and Self-Reported Vocal Disability in Adults in Córdoba, Argentina: An Exploratory Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62954/ehh56y94Keywords:
Sense of Coherence, Voice, Self-Reported Vocal Handicap, Self Report, Quality of Life, Adult, Psychosocial FactorsAbstract
Health, from a salutogenic perspective, is associated with individuals’ ability to mobilize resources that support their well-being. Within this framework, the sense of coherence (SOC) is a global psychological resource related to how individuals comprehend, manage, and find meaning in their experiences, which may influence health perception across different domains, including voice. This study aimed to explore the relationship between SOC and self-reported vocal handicap (SRVH) in adults living in Córdoba, Argentina, during 2024–2025. A quantitative, observational, descriptive-correlational, and cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 183 adults residing in the province of Córdoba, predominantly female (78.0%), with a mean age of 40 years. Fifty-five percent of participants reported at least one previous or current pathology, mainly voice, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and auditory disorders. A digital questionnaire was administered, including sociodemographic variables, the Spanish version of the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13), based on cross-cultural adaptations conducted in Spanish-speaking populations, and the abbreviated Índice de Desventaja Vocal (IDV-10), validated for the Argentine population. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using Spearman’s correlation, Chi-square test, and Kruskal–Wallis test (p < 0.05). Results showed a weak but statistically significant negative correlation between global SOC and SRVH (ρ = −0.17; p = 0.025), indicating that higher SOC levels were associated with lower perceived vocal impact. However, no significant associations were found in categorical analyses. When analyzing SOC dimensions, only comprehensibility showed a significant association, in a direction not consistent with theoretical expectations, being linked to greater self-reported vocal difficulties. In conclusion, SOC is related to SRVH in a limited and non-uniform manner, suggesting a partial and context-dependent influence on vocal self-perception.
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