Nurturing a Resilient Mindset in School-Aged Children Who Stutter

Abstract

Purpose To consider the rationale, methods, and potential benefits of nurturing the growth of resilience in school-aged children who stutter. Stuttering in childhood can have negative psychological consequences for some, including the development of a negative attitude toward their speech from a young age (Vanryckeghem, Brutten, & Hernandez, 2005) and possible co-occurring psychopathology in adolescence and adulthood, in particular, anxiety disorders (Blood, Blood, Maloney, Meyer, & Qualls, 2007; Iverach & Rapee, 2014; McAllister, Kelman, & Millard, 2015). Children who stutter also frequently report teasing and bullying by their peers (Blood & Blood, 2007; Boyle, 2011; Langevin, Packman, & Onslow, 2009), which can have a significant impact on children's confidence and psychological well-being. However, the capacity of children who stutter to cope or “bounce back” from adversity is not routinely explored or incorporated in therapy for stuttering. Method This clinical focus article will explore the construct of resilience and consider why it may be important for children who stutter and their parents. A framework for understanding resilience in relation to stuttering is used, drawing from the Reaching In Reaching Out Resiliency Program (for children aged under 8 years and their parents) and the Penn Resiliency Program (for children aged 8 years and over). Conclusions The role of parents is key in modeling resilient responses to children and creating a resilience-rich environment. As children who stutter may be more vulnerable to adversity, some may benefit from targeted support to build their resilience, in order to enhance their ability to overcome challenges and thrive.

Investigating resilience, perceived social support and trait anxiety levels of mothers of school-age children who stutter

“…In addition, the role of parents is a key factor in modeling resilient responses to children and creating a resilience-rich environment. Some CWS may benefit from targeted support and build their own resilience to overcome the challenges about stuttering (19) .…”

Association between psychological resilience and subjective well-being in older adults living with chronic illness

“…5 Simply, Smith and colleagues describe resilience as one's ability to bounce back. 6 Though there is a vast amount of literature regarding resilience in children exposed to stress, [7][8][9] there is less information available about adults, particularly older adults living with chronic illness. Hence, the purpose of this study was to fill this knowledge gap by evaluating the association between resilience and psychological outcomes for older adults living with chronic illness.…”

Embracing life's challenges: Developing a tool for assessing resilient mindset in second wave positive Psychology

“…Additionally, people with resilient mindset are able to regulate their emotions, thoughts and behaviors effectively, which help them to better adapt to stressors. Similar to the literature on resilience, some studies have emphasized the importance of developing a resilient mindset in order to effectively manage responses to stressors and achieve positive outcomes (Arewasikporn et al, 2019;Arslan & Coşkun, 2023;Caughter & Crofts, 2018;Hansen et al, 2021;Wong et al, 2021). For instance, Hansen et al (Hansen et al, 2021) found that individuals with lower levels of resilient mindset experienced worse physical and mental health, and higher levels of burnout and worry during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”