Experiences of fluent siblings living with children who stutter in Malaysia: a qualitative study

Background: Previous studies have predominantly investigated the impact of having a child who stutters (CWS) on parents and their associated parent–child relationship. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding the perceptions of stuttering held by siblings living with CWS in Malaysia. Aims: To explore the experiences of fluent siblings of Malaysian CWS. Methods & Procedures: A total of 10 fluent siblings were recruited (mean age = 13.40 years, SD = 3.23, age range = 7–18 years, four females) and semi-structured interviews were used to explore their perceptions towards their siblings who stutter, their emotional reactions towards their siblings, the strategies they use during communication breakdowns and how stuttering affects their relationships with their siblings. All interviews were performed using Zoom to allow data collection during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. To avoid parental bias, all interviews were conducted without the parent's participation in the interviews. Interviews were conducted in both Bahasa Malaysia (Malaysia's native language) and English (the second most spoken language in Malaysia), depending on the participants’ preferred languages. Each interview lasted between 20 and 25 min (mean = 22.8, SD = 2.56). Audio recordings were de-identified and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to explore the lived experiences of these siblings. Outcomes & Results: Four main themes were identified: (1) how siblings perceive the speech of CWS; (2) the communication strategies used by siblings to repair communication breakdown; (3) the feelings that fluent siblings have about stuttering and how they cope with it; and (4) how the stuttering makes the siblings’ relationships closer. Conclusions & Implications: This study's findings provide multiple perspectives on the perceptions and attitudes of siblings around stuttering. In addition, the study offers useful insights about the needs of these siblings and techniques for meeting those needs. These results have the potential to contribute to the existing knowledge base and assist speech–language pathologists and other healthcare professionals in working effectively with CWS and their families. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject There is much research on caregivers’ perceptions, reactions and emotions around their CWS. However, the experiences of fluent siblings living with CWS are rarely heard in research or clinical discussions. Currently, there are no studies related to the impact on fluent siblings and their perspectives conducted in Malaysia. What this paper adds to the existing knowledge This study explored the experiences of fluent siblings living with CWS. The findings provide an insight into how siblings perceive the CWS's speech, their communication strategies to repair communication breakdown, their feelings about stuttering and coping mechanisms, as well as how the stuttering brings them closer to one another. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? This study provides a variety of perspectives on siblings’ beliefs and attitudes towards CWS. This can assist speech–language pathologists in providing holistic support to families of CWS. A deeper knowledge of how stuttering affects siblings is crucial to ensure a more effective family-centred approach to therapy and even more sibling support during the clinical process.