Identity Development in Adolescents Who Stutter: Three Stories

The results from this study support the notion that stuttering identity begins developing during the period of adolescence and that it is primarily influenced by negative experiences. However, all participants also had positive experiences associated with their stuttering, including authenticity and connection with others. They felt stuttering was an important part of who they are. It is clinically important to help this age group find meaningful experiences with stuttering to facilitate development of a more positive stuttering identity.