German Non‐Stuttering Primary School Children's Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Stuttering: International Comparison and Influencing Factors

What is already known on this subject To date, data on the knowledge and attitudes of non-stuttering children have been collected in the United States of America, Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, and Turkey. The studies have identified a negative stuttering stereotype that can be present from a young age and have a negative impact on the quality of life of children who stutter. Prior to the study, no data were available for German-speaking countries, and there were also no German survey instruments that could measure the variables of interest in the target group. What this paper adds to existing knowledge The study provides data on the knowledge and personal attitudes of German non-stuttering primary school children collected with the newly translated and adapted German version of the Public Opinion Survey of Human Attributes-Stuttering/Child (POSHA-S/Child). The results of the German sample are essentially consistent with previous international studies. The variable personal experience has been identified as a key predictor variable for the improvement of reactions to a person's stuttering. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? The study supports, clarifies and underlines the international need for educational interventions. In the German sample, three key areas were identified: Character traits and personality of people who stutter, causes of stuttering, and supportive behaviour. Educational interventions should provide appropriate knowledge and provide a platform for exchange in order to gain personal experience with people who stutter.