Quality of life in adults who stutter

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify levels of self-compassion in adults who do and do not stutter and to determine whether self-compassion predicts the impact of stuttering on quality of life in adults who stutter. Method Participants included 140 adults who do and do not stutter matched for age and gender. All participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale. Adults who stutter also completed the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering. Data were analyzed for self-compassion differences between and within adults who do and do not stutter and to predict self-compassion on quality of life in adults who stutter. Results Adults who do and do not stutter exhibited no significant differences in total self-compassion, regardless of participant gender. A simple linear regression of the total self-compassion score and total Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering score showed a significant, negative linear relationship of self-compassion predicting the impact of stuttering on quality of life. Conclusions Data suggest that higher levels of self-kindness, mindfulness, and social connectedness (i.e., self-compassion) are related to reduced negative reactions to stuttering, an increased participation in daily communication situations, and an improved overall quality of life. Future research should replicate current findings and identify moderators of the self-compassion–quality of life relationship.

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Inquiry Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) Improves Overall Stuttering Experience among Adults Who Stutter: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10102187 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 2187

Author(s):

Omrit Feldman ◽

Eran Goldstien ◽

Benjamin Rolnik ◽

Ariel B. Ganz ◽

Shahar Lev-Ari

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Stress Reduction ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Psychological Flexibility ◽

Well Being ◽

The United States ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Adults Who Stutter

Stuttering is a speech disorder that can cause disturbances in the timing and flow of speech. In addition to being a communication disorder, stuttering is often accompanied by a reduction in the quality of life and has impacts on social status, mental well-being, self-acceptance, and the chances of integration into the labor market. The Inquiry Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) program, developed in the United States by Byron Katie in 1986, is the clinical application of “The Work” method (Thework.com) and represents an emerging mindfulness and cognitive-reframing method. IBSR has been demonstrated to improve mental health and well-being in adults and may alleviate psychological and psychosocial symptoms of stuttering. The purpose of this trial was to examine the effect of a 12-week IBSR intervention on the overall stuttering experience and indicators of anxiety, psychological flexibility, and well-being among adults who stutter (AWS). This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial. Participants were randomized to IBSR (n = 28) and control (n = 28) groups. Validated questionnaires of overall stuttering experience (OASES-A), anxiety (STAI), psychological flexibility (PFQ), and satisfaction with life (SWLS) were completed before, after, and one month after the intervention. An intention-to-treat approach was implemented for analysis. Our results show that participants in the IBSR intervention group exhibited a greater improvement in their overall stuttering experience as compared to the control group, as well as in general information on stuttering awareness and perception, reactions to stuttering, communication in daily situations, and quality of life. In addition, we found a greater reduction in anxiety levels and an increase in satisfaction-with-life scores in the IBSR group. These results indicate that IBSR can improve the overall stuttering experience.

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Self-efficacy and quality of life in adults who stutter

Journal of Fluency Disorders ◽

10.1016/j.jfludis.2017.09.004 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 54 ◽

pp. 14-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Alice Carter ◽

Lauren Breen ◽

J. Scott Yaruss ◽

Janet Beilby

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Adults Who Stutter

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Relationships Between Psychosocial Factors and Quality of Life for Adults Who Stutter

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/2014_ajslp-14-0089 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Michael P. Boyle

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Support ◽

Support Group ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Group Identification ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Group Participation ◽

Self Help ◽

Adults Who Stutter

Purpose In this study, the author examined the relationship of social support, empowerment, self-help support group participation, and group identification to quality of life in adults who stutter. Method Two-hundred forty-nine adults who stutter completed a web-based survey, including measures of social support, empowerment, self-help support group participation, group identification, and quality of life. Results After controlling for demographic and stuttering parameters, both empowerment in the self-esteem/self-efficacy domain and social support from family significantly predicted quality of life in adults in the sample. Conclusions Increased self-esteem/self-efficacy and social support from family relates to improved quality of life in adults who stutter, independent of stuttering severity. Treatments that increase feelings of self-esteem/self-efficacy and strengthen social support from the family should be considered for individuals who struggle to cope with stuttering in order to enhance their quality of life.

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