Expectations from stuttering therapy: Qualitative content analysis of client's perspective in Kannada-speaking adults who stutter

Purpose

The current study was carried out to explore clients’ expectations from stuttering therapy using the qualitative content method in the Indian context.

Method

Twenty-one Kannada-speaking adults who stutter between the age range of 18–33 years participated in the study. The procedure involved three phases, including the formulation of semi-structured interview questions, data collection and analysis. Inductive content analysis was used to determine the categories and sub-categories arising from the participants verbatim. The frequency count of emerging sub-categories was completed, and the data was interpreted.

Results

The overall analysis of the data obtained from 21 participants generated three categories under the theme of expectations from speech therapy. The categories generated included beliefs and understanding of stuttering, stuttering and related behaviours, and goals and outcome of therapy.

Conclusion

Selecting personalised goals and techniques during therapy is necessary to improve client satisfaction. This study helps clinicians to understand the anticipatory beliefs of Kannada-speaking adults who stutter and educate them about achievable and realistic goals, leading to shared decision-making to ensure better quality of life and satisfaction in everyday speaking situations.