Self-help conferences for people who stutter: A qualitative investigation

Background: A range of interventions have been developed to treat stuttering in recent years. The effectiveness of these interventions has largely been assessed in studies focusing on the impact of specific types of therapy on patient outcomes. Relatively little is known about the factors that influence how the delivery and impact of different types of intervention may be experienced from the perspective of both people who deliver as well as those who receive interventions. Aims: To synthesize the available evidence in relation to factors that might enhance or mitigate against successful outcomes following interventions for stuttering by identifying and synthesizing relevant qualitative research that explored the experiences of people delivering and receiving interventions that aim to improve fluency. Methods & Procedures:We carried out a systematic review including research that had used in-depth interviews and focus groups and conducted a substantive qualitative analysis of the data collected. Included study populations were either adults or children affected by a diagnosed stutter and/or providers of therapy for stuttering. An iterative approach was used to search for published qualitative evidence in relevant databases from 1990 to 2014. Retrieved citations were sifted for relevance and the data from articles that met the inclusion criteria were extracted. Each included paper was assessed for quality and a thematic analysis and synthesis of findings was carried out. Main Contribution: Synthesized qualitative evidence highlights the changing experiences for people who stutter both historically and, for individuals, over the life course. Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of interventions for stuttering are encountered at the individual, intervention, interpersonal and social levels. Interventions may be particularly pertinent at certain transition points in the life course. Attention to emotional as well as practical aspects of stuttering is valued by people receiving therapy. The client-therapist relationship and support from others are also key factors in achieving successful outcomes. Conclusions & Implications: A synthesis of qualitative findings from published papers has added to the effectiveness data reported in an accompanying paper in understanding how stuttering impacts on people across the life course. Evidence suggests that a client-centred and individually tailored approach enhances the likelihood of successful intervention outcomes through attention to emotional, situational and practical needs.

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“…2004, Klompas and Ross , Plexico et al . , , , 2010, Stewart and Richardson , Trichon and Tetnowski ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In terms of study population, Trichon and Tetnowski () explored the views of adults who had recently attended a self‐help conference and Crichton‐Smith () compared views from therapy attendees with PWS who had not experienced therapy. Plexico et al .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The state of the art in non-pharmacological interventions for developmental stuttering. Part 2: qualitative evidence synthesis of views and experiences

Johnson

Baxter

Blank

et al. 2015

International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders

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“…SHSGs for PWS have long been recognized by clinicians and researchers in the area of stuttering as a valuable means for improving psychosocial health and functioning (Ramig, 1993;Reeves, 2007;Trichon & Tetnowski, 2011;Yaruss, Quesal, & Reeves, 2007). SHSGs for PWS have long been recognized by clinicians and researchers in the area of stuttering as a valuable means for improving psychosocial health and functioning (Ramig, 1993;Reeves, 2007;Trichon & Tetnowski, 2011;Yaruss, Quesal, & Reeves, 2007).…”

Section: Psychosocial Variables Relevant To Quality Of Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

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

Boyle

2015

Am J Speech Lang Pathol

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“…17 Some methods to increase self-acceptance of stuttering include joining selfhelp support groups, such as the National Stuttering Association, and behavioral therapeutic techniques, such as cognitive restructuring and planning ahead. 17,24 In addition, as adults who stutter get older, they tend to view their stuttering more objectively as they become more knowledgeable about the condition. This leads them to increased levels of selfacceptance, and decreased discomfort and shame.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We grouped participants into three focus groups based on age category (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49), 50+ years) with the goal of enhancing participants' comfort discussing health-related information. All focus groups were conducted by H.R.P., a physician who stutters, during the NSA conference, and lasted 45-60 min.…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Not Unless It’s a Life or Death Thing”: A Qualitative Study of the Health Care Experiences of Adults Who Stutter

2015

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BACKGROUND:For adults who stutter, communication difficulties can impact many spheres of life. Previous studies have not examined how stuttering might impact patient's experiences with the medical system. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to understand the range and depth of experiences with the medical system among adults who stutter. DESIGN: This was a qualitative study using age-stratified focus groups. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen adults who stutter were recruited at a national conference about stuttering. APPROACH: We conducted three focus groups. Participants also completed a written questionnaire about sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and the impact of stuttering on their life [using the St. Louis Inventory of Life Perspectives Scale (SL-ILP-S) Total Effect Score]. We analyzed data using an iterative, thematic analysis, with an inductive approach, at a semantic level. KEY RESULTS: Participants were mostly (75 %) male and resided throughout the United States. The mean SL-ILP-S Total Effect Score was 27.3, indicating that stuttering caused minimal concern in participants' lives. Despite this, we identified five themes that characterize ways in which stuttering affects interactions with the medical system. Participants described (1) discomfort speaking with office staff and physicians, which resulted in (2) avoiding health care interactions because of stuttering, and (3) relying on a third party to navigate the medical system. During visits with physicians, participants felt that (4) discussing stuttering with physicians required trust and rapport, and (5) speaking assertively with physicians required selfacceptance of their stuttering. CONCLUSIONS: We identified ways in which stuttering affects medical interactions. These results highlight the need for increased awareness and training for medical staff and physicians when caring for persons who stutter. Future studies among diverse samples of stutterers can determine the effects of stuttering on medical interactions, and inform the development of interventions to provide high quality health care for adults who stutter.

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Self-help conferences for people who stutter: A qualitative investigation

Cited by 60 publications

References 13 publications

The state of the art in non-pharmacological interventions for developmental stuttering. Part 2: qualitative evidence synthesis of views and experiences

The state of the art in non-pharmacological interventions for developmental stuttering. Part 2: qualitative evidence synthesis of views and experiences

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

“Not Unless It’s a Life or Death Thing”: A Qualitative Study of the Health Care Experiences of Adults Who Stutter

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