The relationship between bullying and stuttering in schoolchildren: scoping review

• Grant number: 25/00123-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Speech Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Gislaine Aparecida Folha
• Grantee: Gabrielly Lemos Barbosa
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: bullying is a global issue, particularly among school-aged children, with a high incidence in children who stutter. Stuttering, a speech fluency disorder with childhood onset, often increases these children's exposure to bullying, negativelyaffecting their self-esteem, academic performance, and emotional health. Despite the importance of this topic, there is a gap in the literature regarding reviews that link bullying and stuttering, underscoring the significance of this study. Objectives: tomap and synthesize scientific evidence on the relationship between bullying and stuttering in schoolchildren. The study will investigate: (1) the impact of their co-occurrence; (2) strategies for identifying bullying in children who stutter; and (3) approaches for addressing bullying in this population. Research Strategy: a Scoping Review will be conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. The databases PubMed, Scielo, CAPES, and Web of Science will be searched using specific descriptors. Selection Criteria: papers in English, Portuguese, or Spanish with full text available will be included, with no temporal restrictions. Opinion articles, letters to the editor, and studies that do not meet the objectives will be excluded. Data Analysis: extracted data will include author, title, objectives, methodology, results, and conclusions, culminating in a PRISMA-ScR flowchart to organize the findings. Expected Results: to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic,addressing gaps in the literature, and supporting the development of strategies to assist children who stutter in coping with bullying, thereby fostering greater inclusion and quality of life.