Measurements of temperament in the identification of children who stutter.

Abstract

As an empirical check on widely held stereotypes and some assumed temperament proclivities of children at risk for stuttering, parents of at-risk children and a gender- and age-matched control group completed the 'Parent Childhood Temperament Questionnaire for 3-7-Year-Olds'. A discriminant analysis on the nine temperament dimensions revealed four dimensions which combined to discriminate significantly between the two groups, resulting in correct classification of 86.36% of the 22 children. The t-tests of difference on the four discriminating dimensions revealed that 'Mood', 'Adaptability', and 'Rhythmicity' were statistically significant in the direction of more positive temperament for at-risk children than for the control group. Results are discussed with respect to aetiology, stereotype, and the need for clinicians to focus parents on concrete behaviours when reporting on the emotional and behavioural style of their child.