THE IMPACT OF CLUTTERING ON PROFESSIONAL LIFE: A QUALITATIVE STUDY.

INTRODUCTION: This qualitative study explores how cluttering influences the professional lives of adults and identifies workplace changes that may support individuals with this fluency disorder. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive methodology approach was employed to gain a better understanding of the experiences of thirteen participants, aged 20 to 54, who experience cluttering in their professional lives and were recruited using purposeful sampling strategies. Each interview was audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using the reflexive thematic analysis framework. RESULTS: Two overarching themes emerged: Effects of Speech on Professional Life and Suggested Changes. Participants frequently reported involuntary rapid and disfluent speech, communication breakdowns, and heightened anxiety in work settings. Many described difficulties being understood, particularly in online meetings, as well as challenges regulating speech rate, which sometimes led to feelings of inadequacy, avoidance of speech-heavy tasks, or selecting jobs requiring minimal verbal interaction. Some participants recounted prejudiced attitudes or misjudgments of competence based on their speech, while others noted that cluttering occasionally escalated workplace conflicts. Suggested changes focused on organizational rather than individual responsibility. Participants emphasized the value of workplace training to increase awareness of cluttering, respectful communication practices, supportive managerial attitudes, and opportunities to gain presentation experience. A few participants expressed no need for change, noting that cluttering did not significantly hinder their current roles. CONCLUSION: Overall, the findings highlight the multifaceted ways cluttering can shape professional experiences and underscore the importance of inclusive workplace practices to enhance participation and well-being.