Temperament characteristics of adults with chronic stuttering

Aim of the study
The aim of the study was to define the temperament characteristics among adults with chronic stuttering on the basis of Pavlov’s theory.

Material and methods
The test group consisted of 68 stuttering individuals, and the control group consisted of 62 non-stuttering individuals, who were selected for the research group in reference to gender and age. The Pavlovian Temperament Survey (PTS) constructed by Strelau and Zawadzki was used in the research.

Results
The strength of excitation and inhibition among stuttering people are placed on the level of the lower limit of average results and are statistically significantly lower (p < 0.001; p < 0.01 ) than among individuals in the control group. Mobility of nervous processes is on the average level and is statistically significantly lower (p < 0.01) than in the control group. In both groups, nervous processes are balanced, although among stuttering people, to a statistically significantly lower degree than in the control group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions
Typical temperamental characteristics of stuttering adults are: 1) low strength of excitation, which indicates a high reactivity level to sensory and emotional stimuli, 2) low strength of inhibition, which indicates lower ability to control their behaviour, to control their emotions, and not to become disorganised under the influence of disturbing stimuli, 3) lower mobility of nervous processes, which makes it difficult to adapt to new situations, and 4) a weak nature of nervous system (low strength of excitation and inhibition and poor mobility).