Objective: Perceived voice handicap has been correlated with stress-coping styles, stress levels, and measures of perfectionism in occupational voice users (OVU) [1, 2]. It is unknown if these relationships are found in non-occupational voice users. The aim of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between voice handicap, the ability to recover from stress (Brief Resilience Scale, BRS), and the resources one has to cope with stress (Psychological Vulnerability Scale, PVS) and if those relationships are modified by controlling for OVU status.

Methods/Design: An online survey of females over the age of 18 and pre-menopausal was conducted. The survey consisted of the BRS [3], the PVS [4], and the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Participants were asked if they identified as an OVU.

Results: Completed surveys were collected from 103 individuals (n = 32 OVUs). One outlier was removed from the analysis. The mean age of participants was 27.18 years old (standard deviation: 9.029; range: 18-56). The mean VHI Total Score was 13.05 (standard deviation: 10.537; range: 0-45). A bivariate Pearson's correlation established that there was a weak, non-statistically significant relationship between BRS and VHI, r(100) = -.072, p = .472. The strength of the relationship was not changed when OVU status was controlled for in the model (p = .476). There was a moderate, statistically significant relationship between PVS and VHI, r(100) = .325, p < .001. The strength of the relationship was marginally stronger when occupational voice user status was controlled for in the model, r(99) = .327, p < .001

Conclusions: Voice handicap was not related to the ability to recover from stress but was related to the resources one has to cope with stress. Those with fewer resources to cope with stress had higher levels of voice handicap. This relationship remained significant when controlling for OVU status. The results suggest that coping with stress may be an appropriate target of assessment and treatment in both OVUs and non-OVUs.

[1] González-Sanvisens et al., 2025 https://doi.org/10.1080/14015439.2025.2487441
[2] Nawrocka et al., 2025 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-024-03816-0
[3] Smith et al., 2008 https://doi.org/10.1080/10705500802222972
[4] Sinclair & Wallston, 1999 https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018770926615