Quality of life in preschoolers who stutter and do not stutter: An exploratory study

This study aimed to assess the quality of life of children aged 2-who stutter and who do not stutter. We compared the quality-of-life scores between the two groups and analysed the relationship between their scores and sociodemographic data. We conducted a cross-sectional observational analytical study utilising a non-probabilistic convenience sample of 74 children in the specified age range. Data were collected using structured interviews (sample characterisation script), the Brazilian Economic Classification Criteria, and the Pediatric Questionnaire on Quality of Life (Generic Version 4.0). The Stuttering Severity Instrument (SSI-4) was used to classify the severity of stuttering. The collected data underwent descriptive, associative, and multivariate analyses. Association analyses were conducted between the dimensions of quality of life and total quality of life and the variables socioeconomic background, age, gender, family history of recovered and persistent stuttering, maternal education, and child education, as well as between stuttering severity and quality of life scores. No significant association was found between quality of life and stuttering as perceived by parents. Additionally, no association was observed between stuttering severity and quality of life in children with a confirmed diagnosis of stuttering. Therefore, the impact of stuttering on the quality of life appears to be unrelated to the onset of symptoms but, more likely, to negative communicative experiences during its development.