ABSTRACT

Purpose: Previous studies that have examined concordance of stuttering among monozygotic and dizygotic twins indicate both genetic and environmental influences. However, specific environmental influences that may be associated with the presence of stuttering are unresolved. The purpose of this study was to investigate one possible environmental influence – the relationship between household characteristics and stuttering occurrence, using population data. Methods: Data were used from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS). The FFCWS interviewed parents of children at birth and again in intervals throughout childhood. This study utilized parent reported data, taken when their children were roughly 9 years old. To compare environmental confusion among households, results of the Confusion, Hubbub, and Order Scale (CHAOS) were compared between children who stutter (CWS) and children who do not stutter (CWNS). Results: The current sample included 106 CWS and 3,239 CWNS, where parental report was suggestive of more CWS living in chaotic environments. Specifically, CWS scored an average of 4.056 (CI=3.978, 4.090) points higher on the CHAOS scale than CWNS. Conclusions: Current findings suggest that some CWS live in home environments that experience increased congestion, noise, confusion, and lessened stability. These results may indirectly provide justification for indirect approaches to treatment for CWS. This paper offers rationale for such approaches and offers potential clinical benefits that may come from combining direct and indirect approaches to treatment for CWS.