Comparative Study in Adults who Stutter with and without Social Anxiety

Abstract

Background: Stuttering, a complex fluency disorder, often coexists with social anxiety, impacting individuals' communicative competence and quality of life. The intersection of these conditions can exacerbate the challenges faced by adults who stutter, influencing their social participation, educational and professional success, and social status. Objective: The study aimed to elucidate the relationship between stuttering and social anxiety in adults and to determine the extent to which social anxiety affects stuttering severity across various social situations. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 80 adults, split into two groups based on the presence (30 participants) or absence (50 participants) of social anxiety. Data were collected on stuttering frequency and severity during common social interactions such as using a telephone, eating, and speaking in public. Stuttering severity was classified as none, mild, moderate, or severe. Statistical analysis was employed to compare the prevalence of stuttering across different social scenarios between the two groups. Results: The presence of social anxiety was associated with higher instances of no stuttering during telephone use (86.7%), small group activities (60%), and eating in public (56.7%). In contrast, participants without social anxiety showed higher rates of mild stuttering in these situations (62%, 68%, and 50%, respectively). Social anxiety did not correlate with moderate or severe stuttering in any assessed situation. Conclusion: Social anxiety in adults who stutter correlates with a reduced frequency of stuttering in certain social situations. However, the absence of social anxiety is associated with an increased occurrence of mild stuttering. These findings suggest that social anxiety may have a mitigating effect on stuttering severity, highlighting the need for integrated clinical approaches to address both speech and psychological aspects of stuttering.