Psychosocial Issues In Adolescents Who Stutter: An Integrative Review
Open Access
- Author:
- Murray, Megan Elizabeth
- Area of Honors:
- Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Gordon William Blood, Thesis Supervisor
Dr. Ingrid Maria Blood, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- Stuttering
Adolescents
Psychosocial Issues - Abstract:
- Stuttering is a disability that affects more than 3 million people in the United States. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) must work on the stuttering behaviors, attitudes the individual has toward speaking and stuttering and feelings they have developed as a result of living daily with a variable but chronic, life-long problem. PURPOSE: The purpose of this review was to examine the existing research literature in the area of psychosocial factors and their impact on the lives of adolescents who stutter. This information should assist SLPs working with adolescents who stutter in designing evidence-based, high-quality treatment programs. METHODS: Using two on-line databases, a comprehensive review was conducted. Eight hundred and seventy-seven articles spanning four decades (published between 1973 -2013) were included in the search. This resulted in a selection of 12 studies in four broad categories for detailed review, analysis and comparison. RESULTS: Detailed analyses of the 12 studies were included in the review. This was followed by an analysis and comparison of the studies on multiple variables (e.g., sample characteristics, specific tests/ instruments employed, and outcomes) regarding differences between adolescents who stutter and adolescents who do not stutter. DISCUSSION: The discussion provides evidence for SLPs to collaborate with other school and health professionals in offering services for adolescents who stutter, as well as advocacy efforts for these individuals on their caseloads. The need for future studies to increase the knowledge base in this area was also discussed.