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Purpose: Speech-language pathologists are influential in shaping identity development for individuals who stutter, particularly as it relates to communication. This study investigated the experiences of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals who stutter to learn more about how multiple marginalized identities affect their psychosocial experiences. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven individuals who stutter with lesbian, gay, and bisexual identities. Participants ranged in age from 22 to 60 years. Data were analyzed for themes and categories by using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Results: Four primary themes were identified: (a) the importance of visibility and shared social identity connections for affirmation; (b) effects of oppressive social expectations on identity; (c) intersectionality of stuttering, gay, lesbian, and bisexual identities; and (d) effects of not being affirmed for identity. Discussion: Results are discussed in the context of identity affirmation and intersectionality. Through an understanding of identity formation and psychosocial experiences of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals who stutter, speechlanguage pathologists can use identity-affirmative practices to support individuals who stutter and mitigate stigmatizing experiences. Implications focus on suggestions for the provision of identity-affirming speech-language pathology practices for students who stutter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to adapt the Self-Stigma of Stuttering Scale (4S) into Turkish and evaluate its factor structure, reliability, and validity in Turkish culture. The original 4S scale was translated into Turkish (4S-TR) using a forward-backward translation technique and was administered to 350 adults who stutter (AWS). To discover latent variables evaluated on the scale, two-factor analyses were performed. Internal consistency and temporal stability were calculated to ensure reliability. Test-retest reliability correlation scores were calculated with multiple applications of the scale within about two weeks. To verify construct validity, participants also completed the Turkish versions of the Self-Esteem Rating Scale-Short Form (BSDÖ-KF) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale(YDÖ). The explanatory factor analysis showed three factors explaining 74.76 % of the total variance. The findings were also validated by confirmatory factor analysis. High levels of internal consistency (r =.89) and test-retest reliability (r =.96) were obtained. In terms of construct validity, our findings revealed that self-stigma has a significant negative correlation with self-esteem (r = −.41) and life satisfaction (r = −. 38) as was predicted. The findings demonstrate preliminary evidence that the 4S-TR is a viable and valid instrument for self-stigma evaluation in three domains (stigma awareness, stereotype agreement, and self-concurrence). The 4S-TR can be applied for research and clinical purposes in Turkish. • Self-stigma resulted in decrease in self-esteem and life satisfaction. • Stigma application scores have the largest effect on the negative scores of self-esteem and life satisfaction. • 4S-TR is a valid and reliable tool for assesing self- stigma of stuttering in Turkish population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to develop a short Japanese version of the Self-Stigma of Stuttering Scale (4S), which assesses the self-stigma of adults who stutter (AWS) in a self-completed form, and evaluate its psychometric properties and reliability and validity. After translating the original 4S scale into Japanese (4S-J) through a forward-backward translation process, it was administered to 123 Japanese adults who stutter. A short version of the 4S-J was developed through factor analysis and eliminating items with low loadings to original factors. Reliability was verified by calculating internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Participants also completed the Japanese-translated version of the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, and Subjective Happiness Scale to verify construct validity. As a secondary analysis, our results regarding psychological properties of the short version of the 4S were then compared to those of studies from other countries. Sixteen items were selected for the short version of the scale (4S-J-16), and confirmatory factor analysis verified the original structure of the 4S. We obtained good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Regarding construct validity, our results showed similar correlation with the other selected scales. The value of all scores on the stigma scale in the Japanese cohort was significantly higher than that in the foreign cohort. Overall, the 4S-J-16 has good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity with a three-factor structure of self-stigma in Japanese AWS. The findings suggest that Japanese cultural background increases the stigma scores, thereby enabling us to briefly assess the psychosocial issues of AWS. • We developed the Japanese short version of Self-Stigma of Stuttering Scale (4S-J-16). • 123 Japanese adults who stutter completed Web-based survey. • 4S-J-16 had the good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity. • Stigma score of Japanese speakers were significantly higher than those of non-Japanese speakers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]