Self-Reported Factors Related to Relapse following Treatment for Stuttering

Abstract

This paper presents final results of earlier reported research (Craig & Calver, 1991) of the self-reported perceptions of relapse of people who stutter. The difficulties for those who struggle to remain fluent following successful treatment for stuttering requires further analysis through investigation into relapse. The present study undertook a cross sectional questionnaire study of a large group of persons from an Australian self-help group who were dedicated to maintaining treatment gains in the long term. Relapse was defined as “stuttering to a degree which was not acceptable for at least a period of one week.” Altogether, 152 of 300 questionnaires were returned. Seventy percent of the participants believed they had relapsed, but the majority also believed they had regained fluency subsequent to that relapse. Relapse appeared to occur in cycles, with an average frequency of up to three times per year. They believed that relapse was (a) more likely to occur in demanding contexts such as the work enviro...