Public opinion towards stuttering: the differentiated beliefs and reactions between Chilean men and women

Abstract

Introduction: stuttering is a disorder that affects fluency and is associated with social stigma and negative beliefs. Public opinion about stuttering is fundamental to understanding the social and psychological dynamics faced by people who stutter. Beliefs and reactions to stuttering have been documented to vary across cultures, gender and age, which may influence understanding of the condition. Method: quantitative, descriptive, exploratory study. The culturally adapted survey ‘the public opinion survey on human attributes-stuttering’ was administered to 400 Chileans. Results: a high percentage of men (92,7 %) and women (96,0 %) believe that people with stuttering should hide their condition. Both sexes also share stigmatizing beliefs, although they recognize that people with stuttering can lead normal lives. In terms of reactions, both women and men expressed concern when someone stuttered, but also showed a willingness to behave normally in conversation. Conclusions: beliefs and reactions to stuttering in Chile reflect a persistent stigma. Differences in perceptions may be influenced by socio-demographic factors such as gender, suggesting the need for educational interventions to promote better understanding of the condition.