Coping Strategies and Psychological Distress Among Mothers of Patients With Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and Palate and the Family Impact of This Disorder

Abstract

The current study aimed to investigate the coping strategies and level of psychological distress in mothers of patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) and the family impact of this disorder. Participants were mothers of 55 children or adolescents with nonsyndromic CLP recruited from families attending a CLP clinic and 2 university hospitals in Mashhad, northeast of Iran. Family impact, psychological distress, and coping strategies were assessed using validated psychological questionnaires including Family Impact Scale, General Health Questionnaire, and Coping Response Inventory. Findings revealed that mothers relied more on the use of approach-oriented rather than avoidance-oriented coping strategies. According to General Health Questionnaire scores, 38.2% of mothers showed some evidence of psychological distress, and 23.6% were suspected of having severe psychological problems. Regarding the family impact of CLP, mothers reported the greatest impact to be on the family's financial status and parental emotions. Those mothers who used avoidant coping strategies reported a greater family impact of CLP (P = 0.002). Emotional discharge and acceptance coping were significant predictors of family impact (P = 0.037 and P = 0.035, respectively). Mothers of 13- to 18-year-old patients with CLP reported greater use of problem-solving coping strategy when compared with mothers of younger patients (P = 0.006). Child's age and coping strategies were not significant predictors of the level of mother's psychological distress. Increased knowledge about how parents cope with their child's craniofacial condition may help caregivers develop a more family-oriented care approach, which is sensitive to the psychosocial needs of parents, children, and their families.

A comparative study of quality of life of families with children born with cleft lip and/or palate before and after surgical treatment

“…This finding agrees in part with observations of Kramer et al 25 , who reported that coping problems among families of children with cleft lip (whether unilateral or bilateral) increased compared to families with children having CLP or isolated cleft palate. This finding could be explained based on the more severe impact of bilateral cleft lip and cleft lip/palate on the facial appearance of the child or to avoidant rather than problemsolving coping strategies in the parents 35 . Social support has been highlighted as being useful in the process of coping, as well as perceived support from professionals involved in the child's care 35 39 .…”

“…This finding could be explained based on the more severe impact of bilateral cleft lip and cleft lip/palate on the facial appearance of the child or to avoidant rather than problemsolving coping strategies in the parents 35 . Social support has been highlighted as being useful in the process of coping, as well as perceived support from professionals involved in the child's care 35 39 . Support from friends and family has been linked to lower distress, better adjustment, and less negative family impact, possibly due to social support providing greater feelings of belonging, self-esteem, a positive outlook, and a greater sense of value 39 …”

“…Surgery was seen as the solution to the cleft, as parents showed prospective feelings of ‘everything being well’ following surgery 34 . Surgery is also a source of significant concern for parents, especially as the date of surgery approaches 35 . Worries related to the procedure have included timing of the procedure, duration and recovery, side effects, the care involved, whether additional tissue was required for the repair, techniques used, outcomes of surgery, and pain 34 36 .…”

The Effect of Happiness Training Based on Fordyce Model on Perceived Stress in the Mothers of Children with Cleft Lip and Palate

“…12 Hasanzadeh et al, in their study demonstrated that the mothers of children with cleft lip and palate faced chronic psychological disorders more frequently. 13 …”

The effect of happiness training on self-esteem in the mothers of children with cleft lip and palate in Isfahan 2015

“…[ 11 ] Hasanzadeh's study demonstrated that the mothers of children with cleft lip and palate are faced with chronic psychological disorders more often. [ 12 ]…”