• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.35-43
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between overt and covert characteristics of stuttering. This study included 10 adult participants who stutter. To analyze the overt characteristics, stuttering frequency, duration of stuttering moments, concomitant behaviors, and total score were scored based on the Stuttering Severity Instrument-Fourth Edition (SSI-4). Additionally, the modified Erickson scale of communication attitudes (S-24) and the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering for Adults (OASES-A; general information, reactions to stuttering, communication in daily situations, quality of life, and total score) were used to determine the covert characteristics. Correlation analyses showed no significant association between the overt and covert variables. However, there were significant correlations between the scores on the S-24 and the OASES-A. These findings support the perspective that the overt characteristics of stuttering do not predict the covert characteristics, and vice versa. Therefore, when evaluating and intervening with adults who stutter, it is important to consider these characteristics separately.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.101-114
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the temperament characteristics associated with stuttering subtypes (persistent and recovered) over time and the relationship between those characteristics and stuttering severity. This four-year longitudinal study covered 41 preschool children who stutter (CWS) and 30 preschool children who do not stutter (the CWNS group). At the final visit, 27 CWS were classified as the Recovered group and 14 CWS were classified as the Persistent group. Using the Children's Behavior Questionnaire-Short Form, each participant's temperament characteristics were measured twice: at one year and two years after the initial visit. The three subscale scores (Extraversion, Negative Affectivity, and Effortful Control) and the 15 component scores were analyzed, and they were used for between-group and between-visit comparisons. The Persistent group showed a significantly higher Negative Affectivity subscale score at every visit than the Recovered and CWNS groups. Within this subscale, significant group differences were found in the 'Fear' and 'Anger/Frustration' components, demonstrating that the Persistent group scored higher than the Recovered and CWNS groups. There was no significant correlation between the subscale and component scores and the stuttering severity scores within the Persistent group at any visit. These results support the proposition that these two stuttering subtypes have different temperament characteristics; they also imply that temperament might be influenced by stuttering experience over time.