Changes in stuttering in relation to children's locus of control

Area of Science:

• Speech-Language Pathology
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Locus of control (LOC) is a key psychological construct influencing behavior.
• Understanding LOC in children who stutter is crucial for effective treatment.
• Previous research has not fully explored the impact of behavioral interventions on LOC in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in locus of control (LOC) in children who stutter.
• To assess LOC before, during, and after a behavioral stuttering treatment program.
• To correlate LOC with speech dysfluency measures throughout the treatment and follow-up period.

Main Methods:

• A one-week intensive program combining delayed auditory feedback (DAF) and parent-implemented practice contracts.
• The Children's Nowicki-Strickland Scale measured LOC at baseline, post-treatment, and at 2- and 6-month follow-ups.
• Speech dysfluency was objectively measured at all assessment points.

Main Results:

• Children who stutter showed progressive increases in internality (internal LOC) following treatment.
• Pre-treatment internality correlated with immediate post-treatment changes in dysfluency.
• Treatment effectively reduced stuttering, with LOC scores becoming more internal over time.

Conclusions:

• Behavioral stuttering treatment, incorporating DAF and parent involvement, enhances internality in children.
• Increased internality may be a beneficial outcome of stuttering therapy, potentially supporting long-term fluency.
• The findings suggest a positive interplay between psychological factors and speech motor control in stuttering.