Preliminary study of self-perceived communication competence amongst adults who do and do not stutter

Targeting Communication Effectiveness in Adults Who Stutter

“…We interpret this independence of perceptions as a particularly encouraging outcome for adults who stutter. The fact that listener perception improved whereas self-perception remained relatively unchanged (and in this case relatively positive self-perception) suggests that this treatment holds considerable promise for clients who wish to seek to improve perceived communication skills but, unlike our current cohort, may possess a negative self-perception as a communicator (see Werle et al, 2021). Our present data are not equipped to examine this alternate scenario.…”

“…The SPCC demonstrates sufficient interitem (Cα = .92) and test–retest reliability (Cα = .77–.89) and sufficient convergent reliability with the known measures of self-esteem ( r = .59; Roberson, 1986). A recent investigation by Werle et al (2021) found adults who stutter rate themselves significantly lower in communicative competence (and higher in communicative apprehension) than nonstuttering adults using the SPCC. The Devereux Adult Resilience Survey (DARS; Mackrain, 2008). The DARS is a 23-item 3-point Likert-response survey that focuses on the rater's responses to adversity in specific situations.…”

“…More to the point, less than 19% of former clients rated treatment approaches that included fluency goals as “very successful” (elimination: 10.7%; minimizing: 18.8%). Previous studies have also found stuttering frequency and severity in adults to be unrelated to self-perceived communication competence (e.g., Werle et al, 2021) or quality of life (e.g., Beilby et al, 2012a; Hugh-Jones & Smith, 1999), calling into question the assumption that targeting fluent speech during treatment will positively impact the lives of those who stutter. To date, no study has examined the potential benefits of targeting communication competencies in adults who stutter to the exclusion of goal(s) that directly target speech fluency.…”

Professors' Perceptions and Evaluations of Students Who Do and Do Not Stutter Following Oral Presentations

“…Directly educating professors is crucial, especially when considering the results from Werle and Byrd (2021), which indicate that many students who stutter are not comfortable approaching their professor to engage in discussions and, thus, may not be equipped or ready to advocate on their own behalf. Previous research has indicated that university professors lack understanding of stuttering, as well as the most appropriate ways to respond to stuttering in their classrooms (Daniels et al, 2011).…”

“…Whether due to low self-perceptions of communication abilities and/or fears surrounding communication (e.g., Blood et al, 2001;Werle et al, 2021), individuals who stutter display overt behaviors that convey low communication competence. In addition to avoiding communication events (e.g., James et al, 1999;Yaruss & Quesal, 2006), people who stutter may avoid eye gaze during communication as a protective or avoidance behavior (e.g., Lowe et al, 2012;Vanryckeghem et al, 2004).…”