Assessing quality of life in stuttering treatment outcomes research

Stuttering can affect many aspects of a person's life. People who stutter report that they experience negative reactions to stuttering, difficulty communicating in key situations, diminished satisfaction with life, and a reduced ability to achieve their goals in life. Unfortunately, most treatment outcomes studies have focused on changes in the observable characteristics of stuttering, with significantly fewer studies examining the broader consequences of stuttering. This paper proposes that evaluation of stuttering treatment outcomes can be enhanced through assessment of impact of stuttering on a speaker's quality of life. A means of assessing quality of life is described, based on the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering (OASES; Yaruss and Quesal, 2006 and Yaruss and Quesal, 2008). The OASES is a multi-dimensional assessment instrument built upon the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF; WHO, 2001; see also Yaruss & Quesal, 2004). One section of the OASES is designed to assess specific aspects of quality of life in individuals who stutter. Preliminary data from two ongoing studies involving the OASES are briefly summarized in order to demonstrate: (a) that individuals who stutter do report an adverse impact on their quality of life as a result of stuttering and (b) that quality of life can improve following treatment for stuttering. It is recommended that future stuttering treatment outcomes studies directly examine the broader consequence of stuttering by focusing, in part, on quality of life.Educational objectives: After reading this article, the participant will be able to: (1) describe some of the adverse consequences of stuttering reported by individuals who stutter; (2) define quality of life as it relates to the study of the stuttering disorder; (3) explain the value of assessing quality of life in stuttering treatment outcomes research.