Measuring Adults' Readiness to Make a Positive Change to Stuttering and the Cognitive Processes That Predict It

Area of Science:

• Speech and Language Pathology
• Psychology
• Health Behavior

Background:

• The transtheoretical model (TTM) provides a framework for understanding behavior change.
• Previous qualitative work informed the development of TTM-based scales for adults who stutter.
• Validating these scales is crucial for applying TTM to stuttering treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate three interdependent scales of readiness to change among adults who stutter.
• To assess the applicability of the transtheoretical model (TTM) to the lived experience of stuttering.
• To examine the relationship between readiness to change constructs and quality of life in adults who stutter.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous online survey was completed by 246 North American adults who stutter.
• The survey included TTM scales (Stage of Change, Decisional Balance, Situational Self-Efficacy) and the OASES-IV.
• Exploratory factor analyses and external validity assessments were conducted.

Main Results:

• The five stages of change were applicable to adults' readiness to change their stuttering experience.
• Decisional Balance and Situational Self-Efficacy scales were reduced and showed significant differences across stages of change.
• The OASES-IV also differed significantly across stages of change, indicating construct validity.

Conclusions:

• The TTM framework, including stages of change and cognitive predictors, fits the behavior change process for adults who stutter.
• The validated measures align with findings in adolescents who stutter and other health populations.
• Further research is needed to confirm measure validity and inform stage-matched interventions for people who stutter.