Date of Award
1-1-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders
First Advisor
Gregory J. Snyder
Second Advisor
Gregory J. Snyder
Third Advisor
Toshikazu Ikuta
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
Children who stutter (CWS) are at heightened risk for decreased Quality of Life (QoL) due to the adverse impact of stuttering on daily life experiences. One way CWS may be able to lower this risk is through increasing their resilience to negatively-charged events. Resilience, defined as the ability to thrive in the face of adversity through application of one’s available resources, is a dynamic trait that can be learned to help individuals respond to adverse situations in a healthy and positive manner. Resilience Training can provide a viable avenue for CWS to ameliorate the adverse impact of stuttering on their QoL. This study observed the effects of a six-week pilot Resilience Training program provided via telepractice to six CWS ages 8 to 12. Resilience and Quality of Life were approximated by self-report surveys completed pre- and post-intervention. Results showed improvement in total impact scores for the Overall Assessment of the Speaker’s Experience of Stuttering, School-Age Children (OASES-S, Yaruss and Quesal, 2016) as well as positive trends in two resilience metrics. This data suggests that the perceived QoL and resilience of CWS can benefit from targeted and structured remote intervention within a relatively short time frame. Clinical significance of these results is discussed as well as future directions for Resilience Training with enhanced methodology, more inclusive cohorts, and parent participation.
Recommended Citation
Williams, Emily Lauren, "The Effects of a Resilience Training Program on the Quality of Life of Children Who Stutter" (2024). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2899.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/2899