ERIC Number: EJ1467592
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-May
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1525-7401
EISSN: EISSN-1538-4837
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Knowledge and Needs of Theology Students on Voice and Vocal Hygiene at a South African Institution of Higher Education
Johan J. Maasz1; Sonika van der Riet1; Marinique Henriët1; Leanet Britz1; Maria N. du Toit1; Marien A. Graham1; Jeannie van der Linde1
Communication Disorders Quarterly, v46 n3 p158-167 2025
Preachers are professional voice users (PVUs) who regularly experience high vocal demands, often leading to vocal difficulties or disorders. Research has established that this often occurs due to a lack of sufficient knowledge of the vocal mechanism and vocal hygiene in this population. Student preachers are therefore also considered to be a potential at-risk group for the development of vocal difficulties once they enter the occupation. This study therefore aimed to determine the knowledge and needs of theology students at a South African institution of higher education regarding voice production and vocal hygiene. A cross-sectional online survey using non-probability purposive and convenience sampling was distributed to participants through email to obtain data on the education, training, needs, and knowledge of voice production, vocal hygiene, and voice use among the participants. A clear need was observed for education and training on vocal health and hygiene amongst the study population. The participants presented with limited knowledge about voice production and vocal hygiene; however, they also reported to not regularly implement this limited knowledge in day-to-day voice use or practice. This study found a willingness among participants to learn more about voice and vocal hygiene. This study confirmed that theology students, as future PVUs, receive minimal-to-no training on voice and vocal hygiene, despite their increased risk for voice difficulties.
Descriptors: Knowledge Level, Student Needs, Theological Education, Verbal Communication, Oral Language, Hygiene, College Students, Foreign Countries, Clergy, Voice Disorders, Training
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Africa
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Data File: URL: https://researchdata.up.ac.za/articles/dataset/Vocal_knowedge_and_needs_of_theology_students/22696294
Author Affiliations: 1University of Pretoria, Republic of South Africa