A Qualitative Study on the Experience and the Perception of Adults Who Stutter in the Twenties

Objectives: This study explores the meaning and impact of stuttering on the lives of young adults. Specifically, the purpose of the study is to investigate the stuttering experiences and the perception of adults who stutter in their twenties. Methods: In-depth interviews with 6 adults who stutter in their twenties have been administered and analyzed by the grounded theory approach, which is one of the qualitative research techniques. Results: Nine significant subthemes and three main themes were drawn from the final analyses. Subthemes were 'influences of stuttering: live with stuttering is not inconvenient but it is rather inconvenient at times', 'openness of stuttering: I don't want to talk about stuttering but sometimes I to (talk about stuttering)','control of stuttering: I believe I can control my speech and stuttering but sometimes it is difficult to control', 'judge of stuttering: I think that "I" judge my speech and stuttering but actually "others" judge me', 'others' negative responses to my stuttering', 'negative perceptions to stuttering', 'self-defensive attitudes', 'onlooking attitudes: leave stuttering', and 'mistrust in therapy'. Main themes were 'ambivalent attitudes toward stuttering', 'self-defense to negative responses', 'passive reactions to stuttering'. Conclusion: The cognitive-affective therapeutic approach was discussed for future needs and such possible support groups were also discussed for the young adults who stutter.