A qualitative study of how African American men who stutter attribute meaning to identity and life choices

To date, few studies have explored the life experience of people who stutter. In addition, few qualitative studies have been conducted with people who stutter of historically disadvantaged race-ethnic groups. This study was designed to explore how African American men who stutter view communication, identity and life choices. A qualitative approach was used that focused on the life experiences of African American men who stutter. Six men who identified themselves as both African American and people who stutter participated in this study. The primary investigator conducted an initial 60 to 90 minute semistructured, videotaped interview with each participant. Transcriptions were made of these sessions, and analyzed for major and minor themes. Each participant returned approximately a week later to review the data analysis. Results indicated that the interaction of communication, ethnicity, and culture affected how the participants perceived themselves, their stuttering, and their life choices.

The reader will be able to: (1) explain the importance of culture in the life experiences of people who stutter, (2) discuss how qualitative methodology can be clinically useful when working with people who stutter, and (3) describe the major themes associated with the six participants in this study.