The examination of the emotional and behavioral problems of children who stutter and their parents' parenting styles

The purpose of this study was to examine the emotional and behavioral problems of children who stutter and their parents' parenting styles. While the experimental group (n = 37) consisted of parents whose children stutter, the control group (n =37) consisted of parents having children with fluent speech. The groups were formed by matching the gender and educational level of parents and the age and gender of the children. Parents completed the Parental Attitude Research Instrument (PARI) and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The scales were administered face to face or online. T-test, the One-way analysis of variance, Least Significant Difference, Chi-squared test, and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. The result of this study revealed no difference between the groups regarding parenting styles while the mean of the peer problems score was significantly higher in the study group than the control group. It was revealed that the mean scores of the parents in the study group with a high school or lower education level regarding the strict discipline sub-dimensions were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the mean scores in the democratic sub-dimension were lower. It was found that the mean scores of the strict discipline sub-dimension of the parents in the study group with two children were significantly higher both within the group and between the groups. The mean scores of the peer problems of both, the boys in the study group and the children with stuttering in the 6-10 age group, were higher than those in the control group. The mean score of the emotional problems subscale were found to be high for those with gradual onset, as well as, for children receiving therapy. It was found that the averages of the strict discipline and behavior problem sub-dimensions, of the parents who thought that stuttering had a negative effect on their intra-familial communication, were high. Attention deficit/hyperactivity scale was found to be positively associated with strict discipline, marriage conflict, and overprotection. There is a negative relationship between democratic attitude and emotional problems, total difficulties, peer problems, and a positive relationship with social behavior scale. Keywords: Stuttering, Parenting Styles, Emotional Behavioral Problems.