Speech and anxiety management with persistent stuttering: Current status and essential research

Robyn Lowe*, Ross Menzies, Mark Onslow, Ann Packman, Sue O’Brian, Bharath Chandrasekaran, Julie D. Anderson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this review article is to provide an overview of the current evidence base for the behavioral management of stuttering and associated social anxiety. Method: We overview recent research about stuttering and social anxiety in the context of contemporary cognitive models of social anxiety disorder. That emerging evidence for self-focused attention and safety behavior use with those who stutter is considered in relation to current treatment approaches for stuttering: speech restructuring and social anxiety management. Results: The emerging information about social anxiety and stuttering suggests a conflict between the two clinical approaches. For those clients who wish to control their stuttering and where speech restructuring is deemed the most suitable approach, it is possible that speech restructuring may (a) induce or increase self-focused attention, (b) promote the use of safety behaviors, and (c) become a safety behavior itself. This conflict needs to be explored further within clinical and research contexts. Conclusions: The issues raised in this review article are complex. It appears that evidence-based speech treatment procedures are in conflict with current bestpractice treatment procedures that deal with social anxiety. In this review article, we propose directions for future research to inform the development of improved treatments for those who stutter and recommendations for interim clinical management of stuttering.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)59-74
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research
Volume64
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2021

Funding

This research was supported by National Health and Medical Research Council Program Grant 1132370. The authors would like to acknowledge Damien Liu-Brennan for his scientific copyediting contribution to this publication.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Language and Linguistics
  • Linguistics and Language
  • Speech and Hearing

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