Comparing the Quality of Life among Individuals with and without Stuttering

Some evidence is showing that adults who stutter may have a reduced quality of life. Although the quality of life is highly influenced by cultural issues, there is no such a study for the Persian adults who stutter. The aim of the present study is to compare quality of life among individuals who stutter comparing to those who do not. Methods and Materials: This descriptive-analytical study involves the use of SF-36 in order to assess the quality of life in 65 adults who stutter (10 female, 55 male; mean age= 24/16 years) comparing to 65 age/ gender-matched adults who do not stutter (10 female, 55 male; mean age= 24/21 years). Data were analyzed using independent t- test and SPSS 16. The Mean and standard deviation scores of physical health, mental health and the quality of life in individuals who stutter were 72/4 (±2/4) and 60/5 (±2/5) and 66/3 (±2/3) respectively. The corresponding figures for those who do not stutter were also 79 (±1/7) and 67/5 (±2/2) and 73/2 (±1/6). Statistical comparisons revealed that mean figures for physical health, mental health, and quality of life’s score in people with stuttering was significantly lower than the others (P<0/05). Findings indicates that stuttering does negatively affect the quality of life. Therefore, it seems necessary to address the quality of life in outcome measurement and treatment of stuttering.