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Fluency of the speech is one of the important aspects of communication that involve coordination of the speech as well psychological processing(Blomgren, 2009). The involuntary disruption in the speech fluency is marked by excessive physical, behavioral and emotional tension during communication. Yaruss and Quesel(2006) illustrated the experience of stuttering in five segments: i.e. 1) the etiology of the stuttering, 2) highlights the overt manifestation of symptoms, 3) the constellations of maladaptive emotional, behavioral and cognitive responses during stuttering moment, 4) the listener's reactions and communication impairment in different situations and, 5) quality of life.
It have been found that individuals with stuttering experience emotional distress in communication demanding situations and succumbed to less desirable social behaviors(Kraaimaat et al., 2012), tend to have social anxiety(Manningand Beck, 2013) that has strong association with negative communication experiences and received social response(Ezrati-Vincourand Levin, 2004). In advanced stuttering, there are the complex pattern of behaviors(physical concomitantsand social avoidance); emotions(anxiety, anger, embarrassment etc.) and cognitions(anticipation of stuttered speech, self-evaluation as inept speakers etc). According to Guitar(2014) complex patterns demand to target all the factors for the effectiveness of treatment. Latest trend suggests that combination of stuttering therapy with other evidence based treatments is effective in maintaining cognitive and emotional change(Caughterand Dunsmuir, 2017; Scheurich, Beideland Vanryckeghem, 2019).
The psychotherapeutic component in speech management focuses on speakers' maladaptive thought patterns, feelings and behaviors associated with stuttering(Westbrookand Kirk, 2005). Substantial empirical evidences advocate the desirable outcome when cognitive approaches were combined the stuttering management(Brown, Millardand Zebrowski, 2014; Irani, Gabel, Daniels,and Hughes, 2012). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy(ACT) is mindfulness based contextual cognitive behavior approach that addresses psychological flexibility(Twohif, 2012). It refers to the ability of contacting the present moment and inner experiences and leading to behavioral change consistent with valued based goals(Hays, Luoma, Bond, Masudaand Lillis, 2006). The ACT model fosters the willingness to accept and experience the unhelping feelings and defusing the self-defeating thoughts.
Furthermore, ACT develops patterns of committed action based on values to spend rich and meaningful life while being mindful in present moment. Subsequently, psychological flexibility helps to adopt behavioral change and response to the distressing experiences. Researchers have shown that ACT is found promising in enhancing psychological flexibility toward stuttering by improving psychological functioning in terms of acceptance, defusion of...