Understanding the inner world of children who stutter (Version 1.0)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How do children who stutter compare with fluent speakers in terms of their representations of relationships with significant others?
IRAS ID
224114
Contact name
Raymond Ingram
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Essex
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 19 days
Research summary
This research,which is being undertaken as part of a doctorate in psychoanalytic studies,tests the hypothesis that children who stutter differ from fluent speakers in their representation of significant others, and specifically their parental figures. The participants will be children who stutter between the ages of 4 and 9. The story stem approach, a semi-projective test, offers a reliable and valid method to understand the inner world of the child. In this approach 6 situations are presented to the child using doll figures, and the child is asked to complete the story. An example is: 'This doll figure Kevin is drinking juice with his parents. Kevin is thirsty and reaches over and spills the juice. Now show me and tell me what happens next'.The interview will be video recorded and will last around 30 minutes.The responses of the children who stutter and fluent children will be compared using a scale that measures the quality of relationships. Responses of some of the children who stutter will be analysed in more depth using thematic analysis.The research will be conducted at the child's school after agreement with the head, or in the child's house under the supervision of the parent(s).The research will last 3 months.The findings will potentially help speech and language therapists to understand the inner world of the child who stutters, and will potentially inform treatment. The findings will be disseminated at a conference and workshops of speech and language therapists.
REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1945
Date of REC Opinion
19 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion