School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, GPO Box U 1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia.
J Fluency Disord. 2013 Mar;38(1):14-29. doi: 10.1016/j.jfludis.2012.12.001. Epub 2012 Dec 13.
This study explored the impact of the stuttering disorder on perceived quality of life, with emphasis on the individual's relationship with their partner or spouse. Specifically, the purposes were: (a) to investigate what personal experiences and themes exist for both members of a couple dyad when one member of the couple stutters and (b) to examine whether the partners have different experiences with respect to the impact of stuttering on their lives. A mixed method research design was used. Participant dyads (adults who stutter and their fluent life partner) each completed one semi-structured qualitative interview and two questionnaires: the Overall Assessment of Speakers' Experience of Stuttering (OASES), and the Medical Short Form 36 (SF-36). Interviews were analysed qualitatively and significant themes evaluated. Quantitative results of the OASES and SF-36 were analysed, and scores correlated to determine the strength of any clinically significant relationships. Results indicated that people who stutter and their fluent partners reported similar experiences in reactions to stuttering and perceived difficulties in communication. However, no relationship was seen between the two groups in perceived impact on quality of life. Qualitative results indicated that the participants shared life experiences including reactions to stuttering, treatment undertaken and support. Such findings lend support to a broad-based clinical programme for adults who stutter that includes the fluent partner as an agent of change in their treatment. Findings also support the utilisation of qualitative and quantitative research techniques to elucidate relevant psychosocial life themes and experiences for those who live with a stutter.
The reader will be able to: (a) identify the life themes associated with having a partner who stutters; (b) identify the perceived impact of stuttering for adults who stutter compared to their partners; and (c) discuss the clinical implications of the results with regards to working with adults who stutter.
本研究探讨了口吃障碍对口吃者生活质量的影响，重点关注个体与伴侣或配偶的关系。具体而言，目的有以下两个方面：(a) 调查当夫妻一方存在口吃时，夫妻双方存在哪些个人经历和主题；(b) 检验在口吃对生活的影响方面，伴侣双方是否有不同的体验。采用了混合方法研究设计。参与者对（口吃者及其流利的生活伴侣）各自完成了一次半结构化的定性访谈和两份问卷：口吃者整体评估量表（OASES）和医疗简表 36（SF-36）。访谈进行了定性分析，并对重要主题进行了评估。对 OASES 和 SF-36 的定量结果进行了分析，并对分数进行了相关性分析，以确定任何具有临床意义的关系的强度。结果表明，口吃者及其流利的伴侣在对口吃的反应和沟通困难方面的经历相似。然而，两组在生活质量感知方面没有表现出相关性。定性结果表明，参与者分享了生活经历，包括对口吃的反应、接受的治疗和获得的支持。这些发现支持了为口吃者提供包括流利伴侣作为治疗改变代理人的基础广泛的临床方案。研究结果还支持使用定性和定量研究技术来阐明与口吃者生活相关的心理社会主题和经历。
读者将能够：(a) 识别与有口吃伴侣相关的生活主题；(b) 识别口吃者和其伴侣对口吃的感知影响；(c) 讨论与口吃者合作的结果的临床意义。
