An Investigation into the Relationship Between Anxiety and Stuttering

The relationship between self-reported anxiety and stuttering was explored. Although previous research has mostly shown that persons who stutter are no more anxious than persons who do not stutter, many of these studies had inadequate power to detect significant differences. In this study, a large number of stutters were assessed on state and trait anxiety before, and on trait anxiety after, intensive behavioral treatment. Their levels of anxiety were compared to those of nonstuttering controls matched for gender, age, and occupational status. Results showed that persons who stutter had significantly higher levels of fear (state anxiety) in a demanding speech situation. They were also shown to have higher levels of chronic anxiety (trait anxiety) than matched controls. However, trait anxiety measured after treatment was within normal levels. Although not allowing the conclusion that anxiety causes stuttering, these results do have important implications for the management of the disorder.