Clinical and Sociodemographic Predictors of Parental Perceptions and Confidence in Managing Child Stuttering: a Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

The main aim of the current study was to identify and analyze the most significant clinical and sociodemographic predictors of parents' perceptions regarding their child's stuttering. 139 parents, with at least one child who stutters, completed both the Persian version of the Palin Parent Rating Scale (P-Palin PRS) and a sociodemographic and clinical checklist. To investigate the relationships between scores on the Palin PRS factors and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, we conducted univariable analyses using Pearson correlation coefficients, independent t-tests, and one-way ANOVA. The study analyzed the P-Palin PRS factors: Impact of Stuttering on the Child, Severity of Stuttering and Impact on the Parents, and Parent's Knowledge and Confidence in Managing it. Mean scores were 5.37, 3.87, and 5.42, respectively, with correlations ranging from 0.371 to 0.507. Higher stutter severity negatively correlated with Impact on the Child (r=-0.364, P < 0.001). History of speech therapy (ST) failure and family history of speech and language disorders (SLDs) showed lower Impact scores (P = 0.053 and P = 0.057). Severity of Stuttering and Impact on the Parents negatively correlated with stutter severity (r=-0.546, P < 0.001) and positively with parents' ages. Parent's Knowledge and Confidence correlated negatively with stutter severity (r=-0.242, P = 0.004) and was lower in those with family history of SLDs (P = 0.008). The high stutter severity, ST failure, and family history of SLDs were associated with lower scores across all PRS factors. In conclusion current study identified key predictors influencing parents' perceptions of their child's stuttering, including stutter severity, speech therapy history, and family background.