Temperament of Preschool Children Who Stutter and Mothers’ Temperament and Parenting Style

Lee, Eunju; Sim, Hyun Sub

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Commun Sci Disord. 2007;12(2): 279-295.

Eunju Lee^` , and Hyun Sub Sim^`

이은주(Eunju Lee)| 심현섭(Hyun Sub Sim)

ABSTRACT

Background & Objectives
Childhood temperament is regarded as a major factor influencing the onset and development of stuttering and is known to be associated with their parents’ temperament and parenting style. The purpose of this study was to examine the temperament of children who stutter (CWS) and their mothers’ temperament and parenting behavior.
Methods
The participants included 40 preschool children(20 CWS and 20 age-matched normal children[NC]) and their mothers. The data were collected using Emotionality, Activity, Sociability (EAS) temperament scale, Parent Temperament Questionnaire for children 3-7 years of age, and Inventory of Parental Behavior.
Results
Significant differences between the CWS and the NC groups were observed in 1) the adaptability in terms of child’s temperament; 2) the emotionality in terms of the mothers’ temperament; and 3) acceptance/tolerance in terms of parenting behavior.
Discussion & Conclusion
Caution should be taken in interpreting the result of this study as it could provoke a sense of guilt among the CWS's parents or promote the stereotyping of CWS and their parents. However, it is recommended that consideration be given to children’s and mothers’ temperament as well as parenting style in evaluating and intervening preschool children who are suspected of stuttering.