A Survey on Conceptions of Stuttering

Abstract

The conceptions about stuttering vary amongst cultures. Culturally specific findings regarding stuttering help in understanding the peoples' views and conceptions about stuttering and devising awareness and counselling strategies. A total of 132 passengers on the Coromandal Express from Chennai to Howrah participated in this study. All of them belonged to the upper middle socioeconomic class. Preliminary Stuttering Conception Questionnaire (PSCQ) was used to understand their conceptions of stuttering. 23% had no idea and 12% had myths about the etiology of stuttering. 11% assumed it was a genetic problem and 5-6% a physical-mental problem. 31% had no idea of treatment options. 25% preferred medicine, 23% rehabilitation for treatment of stuttering. For rehabilitation, only 45% precisely knew about the speech language pathologist; the remaining 55% were unaware of this profession. Steps need to be taken towards educating the common man about stuttering.

Communicative practices and perceptions towards stuttering people in South Africa

“…Interestingly, Table 2 shows that 90% of the respondents in our study indicated that they considered stuttering to be a sensitive matter and they avoided talking about it with those who stutter. This is consistent with some African beliefs that stuttering is infectious (McKenzie, 1992 ; Rout et al, 2014 ) and discussing it can result in infection. There is somewhat of a contradiction because all the respondents indicated that they communicated with the PWS the same way that they do with those who do not stutter.…”

“…Results of the survey show low levels of understanding of stuttering (75%). A study conducted in India by Rout et al ( 2014 ) also found that the participants in their study knew little about stuttering, but their perceptions about the cause and management were mostly fallacious. In our study, 60% of our respondents indicated that they hardly understood when speaking with someone who stutters and knew little about stuttering.…”

“…For instance, compared with other parts of the world, people in Middle Eastern countries are more likely to believe that stuttering is an act of God or a result of supernatural causes such as demons and spirits (Abdalla & St. Louis, 2012 ; El-Adawy et al, 2020 ). In India, some people believe that stuttering is the result of past life deeds (karma) of the child or their parents (Rout et al, 2014 ). Interestingly, Isaacs’ ( 2021 ) early enquiry about the causes of stuttering uncovered an infamous myth commonly associated with stuttering that if people mimic a person who stutters, they are likely to develop a stutter (National Stuttering Association [NSA], 2020 ).…”