Covert and overt stuttering: Concepts and comparative findings

Area of Science:

• Speech and Language Pathology
• Psychology
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Stuttering is conceptualized on a continuum from covert to overt.
• Previous research on the differential impact of covert versus overt stuttering is scarce.
• Understanding these distinctions is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the impact of stuttering and associated emotional distress in individuals with primarily overt stuttering versus primarily covert stuttering.
• To explore challenges in terminology related to 'overtness' and 'covertness' in stuttering.
• To investigate potential differences in anxiety, depression, and quality of life between these subgroups.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-one adults from a previous treatment study participated.
• Participants were categorized into overt or covert stuttering subgroups based on self-categorization and speech sample evaluations by Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and lay assessors.
• A battery of tests assessed anxiety, depression, fear of negative evaluation, and quality of life.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found in self-reported anxiety, depression, or fear of negative evaluation between the overt and covert stuttering groups.
• A significant difference was identified in linguistic avoidance behaviors at the item level between the two groups.
• Quality of life measures were also assessed, though specific results are not detailed in the abstract.

Conclusions:

• There may be fewer differences between overt and covert stuttering than previously assumed regarding emotional impact.
• Most aspects of avoidance behavior appear similar between overt and covert stuttering groups.
• Further research is needed to refine the understanding and terminology of overt and covert stuttering.