Date of Award

4-2022

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

First Advisor

Hope Gerlach-Houck Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Suma Devanga, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Linda Shuster Ph.D.

Keywords

Emotional impact, life impact, neurogenic stuttering, neurological diagnosis, stuttering

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to explore the potential emotional and life impact of living with neurogenic stuttering and how and when an impact develops, if present. The current diagnostic criteria for neurogenic stuttering includes no emotional impact (Canter, 1971). The literature is divided in supporting this criterion (Lebrun et al., 1990; Leder et al., 1996; Perino et al., 2000; Theys et al., 2008; Tani &Sakai, 2011; Ellis & Sheehy, 2013; Vanhoutte et al., 2014). The current study relied on qualitative interviewing which was analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis to explore potential for emotional and life impact (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Qualitative data was supplemented with quantitative data (Overall Assessment of the Speaker’s Experience of Stuttering - Adult; Yaruss & Quesal, 2006; Stuttering Severity Instrument – 4; Riley, 2009) to further explore the experience of living with neurogenic stuttering. Results indicate that the experience of neurogenic stuttering for the seven participants in the study was best described with four progressive themes – struggle, life changes, coping, and identity. The data from the current study suggests that a life and emotional impact was present for each of the participants with neurogenic stuttering.

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