Behavioral, Emotional, and Social Well-Being in Children Who Stutter: Evidence from the National Health Interview Survey

Stuttering is a disorder that has been associated with anxiety and other aspects of negatively impacted well-being due to disruptions in the communicative process. The objective of this study was to explore behavioral, emotional and social well-being among children who stutter (CWS) and children who do not stutter (CWNS), using national data. Data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) (2010-2015) were analyzed to examine behavioral, emotional, and social well-being in CWS compared to CWNS using responses from the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Chi-square tests of independence were used for comparing categorical variables and independent samples t-tests for comparing continuous variables. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used for determining odds of reporting symptoms of the SDQ. This sample included 48,319 children of which 503 were CWS. CWS were far more likely to: have worries or often seems worried (OR = 1.86), be unhappy/depressed (OR = 2.14), and have difficulties with emotions (OR = 3.26) than their non-stuttering peers. Similarly, CWS were less likely to: be well behaved/do what was requested (OR = .305) or have good attention and complete tasks (OR = .470). Finally, CWS with coexisting developmental disabilities had higher scores on all subscales of the SDQ when compared to CWS without developmental disabilities. Problems associated with well-being issues appear more common among CWS than CWNS in this national sample. These observed problems were even greater in CWS with coexisting developmental disabilities. These issues should be carefully considered and addressed as part of a comprehensive management plan for CWS.