Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to understand the problems and life effects experienced by adults who stutter (AWS) using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework. Method: The study sample included 614 adults with developmental stuttering aged between 18 to 69 years, living in India responded to two open ended questions, regarding the problems and life effects due to stuttering. The participant’s responses were analyzed using a simplified content analysis. Those responses were exempt from the analysis if the question was left blank or typed with no problems or irrelevant answers. The reported problems and life effects were coded into meaning units. Further, the retrieved meaning units were linked to the respective ICF code. Results: The study indicates that AWS perceived more problems compared to its effects in their daily life. A significantly higher responses reported to activity limitation participation restrictions to both problem and life effect questions. It is, therefore, clear that stuttering limits conversation, relationships, socialization, seeking employment, maintaining employment, and relationships. Moreover, the study found a significant relationship of number of problems and duration of stuttering with number of life effects identified. Conclusion: The current study highlights using a biopsychosocial framework, such as the ICF, to provide a more comprehensive and holistic approach to identifying the problems and life effects of stuttering.

Keywords: Stuttering, ICF framework, problems, life effects, adults who stutter, India