Studying the relationship between reactions to the stuttering and quality of life experienced by individuals affected by stuttering

Occasionally, the speech abilities of individuals are impaired for known or unknown reasons and stuttering is one of these deficiencies. There are particular emotional, behavioral, and cognitive characteristics in stutters’ speech and manner that are specifically related to feelings, behaviors, and attitudes associated with the process of communication. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between cognitive, emotional, and behavioral reactions to the stuttering and the quality of life experienced by individuals who suffer from stuttering. Therefore, through a descriptive correlative research, 50 individuals diagnosed with stuttering were selected through convenience sampling method from clients population referred to Speech Therapy Clinic in Esfahan and evaluated for their experience of stuttering (the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering Questionnaire (OASES-A). Data analysis by correlation matrix and multiple regressions determined that there is a negative and significant correlation between cognitive, emotional and behavioral responses to stuttering and the severity of impact of stuttering on individual's life experience. Furthermore, cognitive, emotional and behavioral reactions can predict the severity of stuttering effect on the quality of life experienced by individuals who suffer from stuttering. Hence, timely intervention by appropriate professionals seems necessary.