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Perfectionism in People who Stutter: Preliminary Findings Using a Modified Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 2007

Barbara J. Amster  and
Evelyn R. Klein
Barbara J. Amster*
Affiliation:
La Salle University, USA
Evelyn R. Klein
Affiliation:
La Salle University, USA
*
Reprint requests to Barbara Amster, La Salle University, Speech-Language-Hearing Science Programs, 1900 West Olney Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19141, USA. [email protected]
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Abstract

Perfectionistic people set unrealistic goals and, when they fail to reach them, experience self-criticism and blame. Preliminary research revealed that perfectionism appears to be a characteristic of people who stutter (PWS) (Amster, 1995). The purpose of the present study was to explore perfectionism in PWS and to determine if a modified cognitive behavioral therapy approach alone and combined with Stuttering Modification could help reduce perfectionistic tendencies and stuttering behaviors. Degree of perfectionism and scores of stuttering severity were measured with eight adult PWS and compared at pre-treatment, mid-treatment, after 6-weeks of treatment, and at 15 weeks follow-up, after treatment was withdrawn. Initial open-trial testing showed promising results as perfectionism and stuttering severity were reduced and communication attitudes improved. CBT significantly reduced perfectionism by mid-point. Stuttering decreased significantly throughout all phases of the study. Possible implications are discussed.

Keywords

Perfectionismstutteringstammeringcognitive behavioral therapycommunication attitudes
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 36 , Issue 1 , January 2008 , pp. 35 - 40
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2007

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References

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