Early stuttering, temperament and anxiety

© 2012 Dr. Elaina KefalianosMany stuttering adults and adolescents experience speech-related anxiety. This relationship has not been examined in the preschool population. Given this, it is unknown whether stuttering preschool children also exhibit anxiety traits. Particular temperament traits have been identified as precursors of anxiety. Temperament refers to the way an individual reacts to or interacts with their environment. While the expression of temperament traits is largely genetically determined, it is also influenced by environmental factors. Variations in the expression of temperament traits between individuals are observed as personality traits. Two hypotheses regarding the relationship between temperament and early stuttering have been discussed in the literature. The first is that temperament is associated with the development of stuttering. Certain temperament traits are theorised to influence the onset, development and maintenance of the disorder. The second hypothesis is that temperament differences arise as an effect of stuttering. Stuttering preschool children can experience negative communication interactions. It is therefore possible that those negative interactions may influence the expression of temperament traits, particularly the precursors of anxiety. Further exploration of the relationship between temperament and early stuttering is crucial in order to ascertain which of the above hypotheses is true. Knowledge about the expression of temperament traits is required in order to determine whether stuttering children express temperament traits differently from non-stuttering children as well as to determine whether they have a heightened risk of developing anxiety. This doctoral study was embedded within the Early Language in Victoria Study (ELVS). ELVS has a prospective, longitudinal design. The overall aim of ELVS was to examine the epidemiology and evolution of communication impairments, including stuttering, from infancy through to 7 years. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of temperament traits, including the precursors of anxiety, among stuttering children in ELVS. Data were collected with a prospective, longitudinal cohort design. In total, 1444 children were recruited into this study. By 4 years, 173 children had been confirmed as stuttering and 1271 children were assigned to the non-stuttering group. Temperament data were collected using a parent-report scale which was included in annual parent completed questionnaires from 2-4 years. During this time, parents of stuttering participants also completed a stuttering questionnaire at 12 consecutive, monthly home visits, immediately post stuttering onset. At 6 and 7 years, temperament and stuttering behaviour data were collected from stuttering participants in annual parent completed questionnaires. The results from this study revealed little evidence of differences between stuttering and non-stuttering preschool children’s expression of temperament traits, including the precursors of anxiety, up to 4 years. There was little evidence of associations between various stuttering behaviours and the expression of temperament traits amongst stuttering participants. These findings suggest that within this study’s cohort, stuttering children were not at greater risk of developing anxiety compared to non-stuttering children and the range of stuttering characteristics exhibited by stuttering children did not influence the expression of their temperament traits, including the precursors of anxiety