Effectiveness of Taghizadeh’s Mental and Cognitive Simulation Therapy Model on Stuttering Severity in Adolescents: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background: Stuttering is a common speech disorder that, during adolescence, may intensify due to cognitive, emotional, and social changes and lead to significant communicative and psychological consequences. Recent research has emphasized the role of cognitive and mental factors in the persistence of stuttering, highlighting the need for integrative therapeutic approaches. Objective: The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Taghizadeh’s Mental and Cognitive Simulation Therapy model in reducing stuttering severity among adolescents who stutter. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental single-group pretest–posttest design. The statistical population consisted of adolescents aged ۱۲–۱۸ years diagnosed with stuttering who were referred to speech therapy and psychological service centers. The sample included ۳۵ adolescents selected through convenience sampling. Stuttering severity was assessed using the Stuttering Severity Instrument (SSI) at two time points: pretest (before referral/onset of treatment) and posttest (after completion of treatment). Data were analyzed using a paired-samples t test. Results: Descriptive statistics indicated a decrease in mean stuttering severity scores from pretest to posttest. The results of the paired-samples t test showed that the difference between pretest and posttest scores was statistically significant (p <.۰۰۱). Conclusion: The findings suggest that Taghizadeh’s Mental and Cognitive Simulation Therapy model can lead to a significant reduction in stuttering severity among adolescents. Given the multidimensional nature of stuttering, integrative interventions that target cognitive and mental processes alongside speech-related factors may be effective in clinical treatment programs for adolescents who stutter.

کلیدواژه ها:

Stuttering ، Adolescents ، Mental Simulation ، Cognitive Therapy ، Taghizadeh’s Therapeutic Model