The effect of stuttering on symptoms of depression and social anxiety in adolescents

Abstract

Objective: This study aims at examining the relationship between the severity of stuttering, which makes it difficult to speak and communicate, and the symptoms of depressive and social anxiety disorders during adolescence.

Patients and methods: A total of 65 children between 14 and 18 years old, diagnosed with stuttering, were included in the study, regardless of gender. Stuttering Severity Instrument, Beck Depression Scale, and Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents were administered to all participants.

Results: The mean age of the 65 patients was 15.41±0.93. Out of them, 36 (55.4%) were female and 29 (44.6%) were male. In terms of stuttering levels, 25 participants (35.8%) had mild stuttering, 20 (30.8%) showed moderate stuttering, and 20 (30.8%) had severe stuttering. Depression levels of individuals diagnosed with stuttering increased significantly in parallel with the severity of stuttering (p<0.001). The social anxiety scale total score and subscale scores of individuals diagnosed with stuttering also increased significantly in parallel with stuttering severity (p<0.01).

Conclusions: The symptoms of depression and social anxiety disorders increase with the severity of stuttering in adolescent patients who applied to the child psychiatry clinic presenting stuttering.