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The relationship between anxiety and stuttering: a multidimensional approach.
Ruth Ezrati-Vinacour1, Iris Levin
1Communication Disorder Department, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer 52621, Israel. ruthez@post.tau.ac.il
Journal of Fluency Disorders
|June 5, 2004
Summary
Anxiety appears to be a personality trait in people who stutter, with higher levels of state anxiety linked to stuttering severity. This study explored anxiety in stutterers using a multidimensional anxiety model.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Speech and Language Pathology
Background:
- The relationship between anxiety and stuttering is not well-defined.
- Existing research presents conflicting clinical and empirical evidence.
- This study applies the multidimensional interaction model of anxiety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between anxiety and stuttering.
- To investigate anxiety within the framework of the multidimensional interaction model.
- To explore the connection between general anxiety in specific situations and stuttering.
Main Methods:
- Ninety-four males (18-43 years), half stutterers and half fluent speakers, participated.
- Participants completed the Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Speech Situation Checklist.
- Subjective anxiety levels (Task-Related Anxiety) were measured during speech and non-speech tasks.
Main Results:
- Trait anxiety was significantly higher in stutterers compared to fluent speakers.
- State anxiety in social communication was higher in severe stutterers than mild stutterers and fluent speakers.
- State anxiety demonstrated a correlation with stuttering severity.
Conclusions:
- Anxiety appears to be a personality trait associated with stuttering.
- State anxiety is directly related to the severity of stuttering.
- Findings support the application of the multidimensional anxiety model to stuttering.