Introduction: Stuttering is a complex communication disorder that is influenced by the interaction of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Recent research suggests that adverse childhood experiences can play an important role in shaping emotional, cognitive, and neurological patterns and have lasting consequences in adulthood. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the severity of stuttering in adults with stuttering.
Methods: This is a descriptive-correlational study, and the sample of the study included 34 adults with stuttering who were selected through convenience sampling and online questionnaires. The research tools included the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire and the Speech Self-Assessment Profile (WASSP) questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 software using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and simple linear regression analysis.
Results: The results showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between the total ACE score and the severity of stuttering (p < 0.01). Also, regression analysis showed that adverse childhood experiences can predict about 23% of the variance in the severity of stuttering.
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that traumatic emotional and family experiences in childhood can play a significant role in exacerbating the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral dimensions of stuttering in adulthood. Accordingly, simultaneous attention to factors of emotion regulation along with transformation along with speech therapy interventions can lead to the design of more comprehensive and effective treatment approaches for individuals with stuttering.