Public attitudes toward stuttering in Malaysia

Area of Science:

• Speech and Language Pathology
• Public Health
• Social Psychology

Background:

• Public attitudes significantly influence the social experiences and well-being of individuals who stutter.
• Understanding cultural variations in attitudes toward stuttering is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
• The Public Opinion Survey of Human Attitudes-Stuttering (POSHA-S) is a validated instrument for assessing public perceptions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure public attitudes toward stuttering in Malaysia using the POSHA-S.
• To compare Malaysian attitudes and knowledge with existing international data.
• To identify demographic and experiential factors associated with attitudes toward stuttering in Malaysia.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 250 Malaysian adults completed the POSHA-S questionnaire.
• Statistical analyses, including general linear modeling, were used to compare scores and examine group differences.
• The study compared Malaysian POSHA-S data against a global database median.

Main Results:

• Malaysian participants exhibited significantly lower overall stuttering scores, beliefs, and self-reaction subscores compared to international medians.
• Positive self-reactions were associated with being male, higher education, and prior exposure to stuttering.
• Previous exposure to stuttering correlated with significantly higher scores.

Conclusions:

• Malaysian public attitudes toward stuttering appear less positive than those in Western countries.
• There is a need for increased societal acceptance and support for people who stutter in Malaysia.
• Future research should focus on educational strategies to raise public awareness and improve attitudes toward stuttering.