The purpose of this thesis was to develop a model that predicts therapy outcome for children and adolescents who stutter, taking the independent variables of initial stuttering severity, self-esteem, anxiety, the psychosocial impact of stuttering, bullying, motor abilities and language abilities into account. In order to address these issues, three new instruments were developed and validated: (1) the Speech Questionnaire to assess the psychosocial impact of stuttering on the child’s life; (2) the Bullying Questionnaire to obtain information about stuttering related bullying; and (3) the MAMS Orofacial Assessment to assess orofacial abilities. Correlations between therapy outcome and the factors initial stuttering severity, language abilities, and orofacial abilities were found. These factors were used to design a predictive model. Relations of the findings to existing models are outlined. The knowledge obtained about the factors that influence therapy outcome may allow clinicians to tailor therapy programs individually towards the needs of the children. To obtain more information about the daily experiences of children who stutter during an intensive treatment a fourth questionnaire, the Daily Questionnaire was developed and validated. Results of a study with 19 participants during a three-week intensive treatment showed a significant relationship between the impact of other people on the previous day and the experience of general speaking abilities of the subsequent day. Furthermore, a correlation between emotions on the previous day and experience of own speaking abilities on the current day was found. Outcomes of the studies presented in relation to existing models are discussed and a new multi-factor model is presented.
The UNESCO Chair on Bullying and Cyberbullying, the first such Chair in the world, was awarded to Professor James O’Higgins Norman at Dublin City University in 2018. The UNESCO Chairs programme advances research and education in all of UNESCO’s fields of competence by building university networks and encouraging inter-varsity cooperation through transfer of knowledge across borders. Professor O’Higgins Norman, with other members of the Chair, conducts a programme of research within and supported by DCU Anti-Bullying Centre (ABC) that spans a range of global partnerships involving universities, NGOs, Governments, schools and youth organisations. This work encompasses research, education, and policy development.