title: Factors associated with singers' perceptions of choral singing well-being.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Choral singing is a popular vocational pastime across cultures. The potential health benefits associated with choral singing, including positive effect on well-being, are a topic of interest in health research. However, anecdotal reports from voice professionals suggest that the unique demands of choral singing may enforce unhealthy singing habits. This study explores suboptimal vocal behaviors that are sometimes associated with choral singing, which include singing outside comfortable pitch range, singing too loudly, and singing too softly for blend.
  
  
  METHODS
  The relationships between suboptimal choral singing habits, vocal warm-ups (WUs), vocal fatigue, and singing-related well-being were assessed via a 14-item Likert-based response format questionnaire. Participants consisted of 196 attendees of the international World Choir Games. The final study group consisted of 53 male and 143 female international amateur singers aged 10-70.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated a positive correlation between vocal fatigue and suboptimal singing behaviors (r = 0.34, P < 0.0001). Participants who did not engage in suboptimal singing behavior experienced increased singing-related well-being (r = -0.32, P < 0.0001, N = 141). Vocal WUs were not related to vocal fatigue or singing well-being. Substantially, more participants from this demographic preferred choir over solo singing (X²[1, N = 196] = 22.93, P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Suboptimal choral singing behaviors may result in vocal fatigue and reduction of choral singing well-being and should therefore be considered when examining the effect of choral singing on singing-related well-being and health. Future research will compare the amateurs' perceptions of choral singing with perceptions from professional singers and will look at determinants of choral singing well-being.
authors.affiliation: Department of Voice, College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: Elliana R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Kirsh
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van Leer
authors.forename: Heidi J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Phero
authors.forename: Changchun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Sid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khosla
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D063346:Singing; D012931:Social Environment; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Amateur choir; Choral singing; Vocal fatigue