The Effect of Self-Disclosure About Stuttering on Listener Perceptions

Abstract

The study reported herein sought to explore the effect of self-disclosure about stuttering on listener perceptions of persons who stutter (PWS). Sixty young adults who do not stutter were divided into three groups. Each group was assigned to one of three conditions: no disclosure (ND), apologetic self-disclosure (ApD), and assertive self-disclosure (AsD), followed by a narrative by a PWS presented auditorily. Participants then rated the PWS on a semantic differential scale. Results revealed no significant difference between listener ratings for ApD and ND conditions. The PWS in the AsD condition was perceived as “less sociable” than the PWS in the ND condition. The PWS disclosing assertively appeared to be rated more positively by female listeners. Being well acquainted with a PWS appeared to result in more positive perceptions indicating a need to educate the general public about stuttering.