Group Experiences and Individual Differences in Stuttering

Purpose: This study explored group experiences and individual differences in the behaviors, thoughts, and feelings perceived by adults who stutter. Respondents' goals when speaking and prior participation in self-help/support groups were used to predict individual differences in reported behavi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of speech, language, and hearing research language, and hearing research, 2019-12, Vol.62 (12), p.4335-4350
Main Authors: Tichenor, Seth E, Yaruss, J. Scott
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adults
Behavior
Consent
Definitions
Group Experience
Individual Differences
Neurophysiology
Objectives
Occupations
Online Surveys
Participation
Polls & surveys
Population
Psychological Patterns
Respondents
Sampling
Self help
Self Help Programs
Social support
Social Support Groups
Speaking
Speech Language Pathology
Speech Therapy
Stuttering
Support groups
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Summary:Purpose: This study explored group experiences and individual differences in the behaviors, thoughts, and feelings perceived by adults who stutter. Respondents' goals when speaking and prior participation in self-help/support groups were used to predict individual differences in reported behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. Method: In this study, 502 adults who stutter completed a survey examining their behaviors, thoughts, and feelings in and around moments of stuttering. Data were analyzed to determine distributions of group and individual experiences. Results: Speakers reported experiencing a wide range of both overt behaviors (e.g., repetitions) and covert behaviors (e.g., remaining silent, choosing not to speak). Having the goal of "not stuttering when speaking" was significantly associated with more covert behaviors and more negative cognitive and affective states, whereas a history of self-help/support group participation was significantly associated with a decreased probability of these behaviors and states. Conclusion: Data from this survey suggest that participating in self-help/support groups and having a goal of communicating freely (as opposed to trying not to stutter) are associated with less negative life outcomes due to stuttering. Results further indicate that the behaviors, thoughts, and experiences most commonly reported by speakers may not be those that are most readily observed by listeners.
ISSN:1092-4388
1558-9102
DOI:10.1044/2019_JSLHR-19-00138