What's Love Got to Do With It? Reflections on the Role of Stuttering in Enabling and Enhancing Relationships

What is already known on the subject The research-based literature highlights the mostly negative impact that stuttering has on an individual's life. More recent evidence, however, indicates an alternative experience for some adults who stutter, with advantageous by-products of stuttering such as enhanced interpersonal relationships being reported. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This paper discusses the potential for stuttering to enhance a person's cultivation of robust relationships. Early and contemporary theories of love are discussed, and one fundamental component of love, vulnerability, is examined. Stuttering is proposed as being as an act of vulnerability, thus enabling and enhancing relationships. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Speech and language therapists (SLTs) are recommended to support clients to self-disclose, offer therapies that aim for authenticity and the reduction of concealment, and encourage clients to engage with stuttering support groups.