1997 Volume 34 Issue 4 Pages 47-53
This study aimed to examine the self-perception of stutterers. Eighty scales, partially adopted from Mizumachi (1982, 1991), were arranged in semantic differential format. Five equal-appearing intervals were adopted between the bipolar adjectives. Thirty-five stutterers (CA from 19-54, mean CA 30.1) were asked to rate each scale according to their self-perception. The main findings were as follows: (1) A statistically significant Spearman correlation was found between the results on the scale measuring severity of stuttering and 28 of the semantic differential items. (2) Those stutterers who regard themselves as "mild" stutterers were found to be more "positive" and "sociable". At the same time, they consider themselves to be less "persistent" and "nervous". (3) The older stutterers were also found to consider themselves more "positive" and "sociable", whereas the younger stutterers regard themselves as more "clean" and "friendly". (4) In treating these stutterers, the various aspects of the present study should be carefully considered.
