Author: Rohma Mehak
Supervisor: Rabia Dasti, Sharmeen Aslam Tarar, Rukhsana Kausar PhD
Degree: MS
Year: 2014-2016
University: Centre for Clinical Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
The present study investigated differences between Urdu speaking
school- age children who (CWS) and children who do not stutter
(CWNS) on utterance length, sentence structure complexity and
dysfluencies. A Cross-sectional (Between Groups) research
design was used for this purpose. A total number of 24 school-age
children (12 CWS & 12 CWNS, age range 6-12 years) were taken
as sample for the study. Data was gathered using Conversational
Maps Elicitation Procedures and speech samples were recorded
using an audio- recorder. The Fluency Charting Grid was used to
mark types and frequencies of dysfluencies in speech samples and
also to estimate percentage dysfluency (dysfluency index) for
each participant. Mean length of utterances and types and
frequencies of sentence structures were marked by the researcher
manually. The findings showed significant differences between
participants who stutter and who do not stutter. The CWS had
shorter mean length of utterances, used more simple and complex
forms of sentences and made more dysfluencies of repetitions,
part-word repetitions, phrase repetitions, sound prolongations and
word interjections. They also had higher dysfluency indexes than
CWNS. Although, no significant positive associations could be
found between utterance length, sentence structure complexity
and severity of stuttering, the latter was found to be negatively
associated with complex structure of sentences. However, the
results did highlight significant associations between certain types of dysfluencies, mean length of utterance and sentence categories. The study findings could be used for assessment and management
of children who stutter. They could also be utilized by researchers
interested in broadening their study on effects and relationships of
other linguistic variables with each other and with relevance to
stuttering behaviors.
Keywords: Utterance Length, Sentence Structure Complexity, Dysfluencies, Stuttering.
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