The production of meaningful communication, and stuttering severity

Abstract

The present study addresses the relationship between how persons who stutter meet the challenge of meaningful communication, and stuttering severity. Sixty adults who stutter, 12 females and 48 males, aged 20–56, were given various psychological tests and interviewed in order to determine how they dealt with the challenge of meaningful communication as the main objective for their speaking. It was predicted that persons who stutter moderatey tend to avoid more meaningful communication and to shift their attention more from the intended message to preoccupation with their speech performances, than those who stutter mildly. It was also predicted that resignation with respect to preoccupation with their speech performances and production of meaningful communication would be related to severe stuttering. The results support these predictions, and thus the recommendations that speech therapists should attend to how persons who stutter handle the basic social functions of speech.