Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Envisioning Possibilities for the Future 2025 ASHA Convention, Washington, Amerika Birleşik Devletleri, 20 - 22 Kasım 2025, ss.183, (Özet Bildiri)
Stuttering is defined as a speech disorder characterised by the disruption of the flow of speech and manifested as involuntary repetition, prolongation or blocking of sounds, syllables or words (Tichenor & Yaruss, 2019). This disorder significantly affects not only the speech process but also the psychosocial life of the individual. Individuals with stuttering often experience various emotional problems such as negative self-perception, anxiety, depression, and social isolation. These psychological difficulties can affect the reactions of individuals to stressful situations they encounter throughout their lives, making psychological adaptation processes difficult (Freud & Amir, 2020). It has been shown that high levels of psychological resilience in individuals with stuttering are associated with a more positive perception of the stuttering experience and that these individuals can develop a more positive self (Freud & Amir, 2020). One of the important structural elements supporting psychological resilience is self-compassion. Studies show that individuals with high levels of self-compassion can cope more effectively with psychological problems such as social anxiety, self-criticism and stress, and thus have higher levels of psychological well-being (Salehpoor, Yousefi & Golparvar, 2023). It is suggested that self-compassion is an important protective factor in the process of coping with stress and increases psychological resilience by reducing social anxiety, self-criticism and avoidance behaviours (Hogan, 2017). The aim of study is to examine the psychological resilience and self-compassion levels of individuals with and without stuttering comparatively; to reveal the relationship between the two variables and to evaluate the possible effects of stuttering status on this relationship.This study was conducted to examine the relationships between psychological resilience and self-compassion levels of individuals with and without stuttering. Relational screening model, one of the quantitative research methods, was preferred within the scope of the research. The study group consisted of a total of 28 individuals, 14 individuals with stuttering and 14 individuals without stuttering, whose ages ranged between 18 and 58, whose mother tongue was Turkish, who graduated from at least primary school and who voluntarily participated in the study. The sample size was determined through G*Power 3.1.9.7 program based on 95% statistical power, 5% margin of error and 1.135 effect size. Three different measurement tools were used in the data collection process: Participant Information Form was used to evaluate the demographic information and stuttering experiences of the participants, Self-Compassion Scale was used to determine their self-compassion levels and Protective Factors for Psychological Resilience Scale was used to measure their psychological resilience levels. Data were collected through online platforms. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0 software. The distribution characteristics of the data were evaluated with the Shapiro-Wilk normality test and it was determined that the normality assumption was not met. Therefore, the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test was applied to determine the differences between the groups. The significance level was accepted as .05 in all analyses (p < .05). A total of 28 individuals with (n = 14) and without (n = 14) stuttering participated in the study. When the demographic characteristics of the participants were analysed, a statistically significant difference was found between stuttering status and gender (p = 0.015) and previous speech-language therapy (p = 0.008). No significant difference was found in other demographic variables (p > .05). When the items of the Protective Factors for Psychological Resilience Scale were compared, a significant difference was found between the groups only in the item ‘I can cope with all kinds of difficulties that come my way’ (p = 0.023). When evaluated at the level of sub-dimensions, the scores of individuals without stuttering were found to be significantly higher in the dimension of ‘Personal protective factors’ (p = 0.002), while no significant difference was found in other sub-dimensions (p > .05). In the analyses made on the basis of Self-Sensitivity Scale items, it was seen that individuals without stuttering had significantly higher scores in some items. These items are as follows: ‘I try to be understanding and patient about the aspects of my personality that I do not like’ (p = 0.010), “I show myself the care and compassion I need in difficult times” (p = 0.037), “I try to see my failures as part of the human condition” (p = 0.010), “I treat myself kindly when I experience painful events” (p = 0. 004), ‘When I feel bad, I try to approach my feelings with interest and openness’ (p = 0.005), ‘When I suffer emotionally, I treat myself with love’ (p = 0.044) and ‘When I experience failure in something, I try to take an objective perspective’ (p = 0.043). When the sub-dimensions of the Self-Sensitivity Scale were analysed, it was found that the scores of ‘Self-compassion’ (p = 0.002), ‘Conscientiousness’ (p = 0.001) and ‘Total Self-Sensitivity’ (p = 0.041) of individuals without stuttering were statistically significantly higher than those of individuals with stuttering. No significant difference was found in other sub-dimensions (self-judgement, sharing consciousness, isolation, over-identification) (p > .05). This study aimed to investigate the psychological resilience and self-compassion levels of individuals with and without stuttering comparatively. The findings showed that individuals without stuttering had higher levels of psychological resilience, especially in the personal protective factors dimension of psychological resilience and in the self-compassion and mindfulness dimensions of self-compassion. It was also concluded that individuals without stuttering developed more understanding, compassionate and accepting attitudes towards themselves and had more functional coping mechanisms against negative experiences such as failure, pain and stress. In this context, it is suggested that interventions aimed at increasing the psychological resilience and self-compassion levels of individuals with stuttering should be considered in therapeutic processes. Self-compassion-based approaches can be an important supportive element in reducing the emotional and psychological effects of stuttering.