Abstract
Research has shown that adults who stutter (AWS) experience considerably lower quality of life than their fluent peers. This reflects not only external stigma surrounding stuttering, but also the internalisation of these negative social attitudes. This portfolio aimed to advance understanding of psychological processes that may contribute to distress in AWS, with particular focus on shame and self-criticism, and to explore the potential role of compassion-based interventions in addressing these processes.
Part A of the portfolio is a theoretical review reviewing the potential applicability of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) for AWS. The review argues that CFT offers a theoretically relevant framework for understanding the role of social threat, shame and self-criticism in AWS, and a coherent basis for therapeutic intervention that directly targets these processes. Additionally, this review provides a rationale for caution with how fluency approaches are utilised with AWS to ensure that they do not reinforce the self-criticism and shame that they seek to reduce.
Part B of the portfolio is a feasibility study of a compassionate imagery intervention designed for AWS. The findings suggest that this intervention was acceptable, feasible and the preliminary signs of effectiveness suggested patterns of change in fears of negative evaluation, self-criticism, self-compassion, self-esteem and fears of compassion. Although exploratory in nature, these findings provide early empirical support for the relevance of compassion-based approaches within this population.
Taken together, the portfolio contributes both theoretical integration and preliminary empirical evidence to inform clinical practice. This portfolio aims to support the development of psychologically informed interventions for AWS and stimulates further research into compassion-based approaches within the field of stuttering.