University students’ perceptions of the life effects of stuttering

An open-ended, written survey was administered to 146 university students who did not stutter to obtain their impressions of the effects of stuttering on the lives of people who stutter (PWS). Participants first wrote about the general effects of stuttering and then considered how their lives would be different if they stuttered. Both types of responses, while not qualitatively different, indicated that participants were more likely to focus on negative listener reactions and barriers to social, academic, and occupational success when they imagined themselves as PWS. Fewer participants indicated that PWS may positively cope with their stuttering through acceptance of stuttering, motivation and determination, and support systems. Quantitative differences based on gender and familiarity with PWS were not observed. The findings suggest that while university students are generally sensitive to the issues which can affect PWS, they may also tend to exaggerate the limitations placed on PWS by their stuttering.Learner outcomesThe reader will be able to (1) understand the various ways in which fluent speakers perceive the life effects of stuttering; (2) discuss how fluent speakers, while apparently sensitive to the negative effects of stuttering, can also overemphasize the degree to which PWS are unable to participate effectively and autonomously in society; and (3) recognize the need for additional research in this area and for continued education of the general public and others by advocacy groups.