Social Acceptance and Facial Behavior in Children with Oral Clefts

Abstract

When comparing children with and without oral clefts in an experimental setting, with a relatively small sample size, behavior analysis identified some significant differences in patterns of social behavior but not in the ability to express facial emotion. Results suggest that many children with oral clefts may have relatively typical social development. However, for those who do have social competence deficits, systematic behavioral observation of atypical social responses may help individualize social skills interventions.

Psychological adjustment to cleft lip and/or palate: A narrative review of the literature

“…Some individuals with CL/P reported that they lacked recognition (Chetpakdeechit et al, 2009) and felt devalued by others (Tiemens et al, 2013). In turn, low levels of perceived social acceptance were found to be associated with gaze avoidance and less assertive social patterns (Slifer et al, 2004;Slifer et al, 2006). Feelings of social isolation were reported in one study (Hamlet & Harcourt, 2015).…”

Frequency and socio-psychological impact of taunting in school-age patients with cleft lip-palate surgical repair

“…Children with facial malformations can have specific attitudes that influence, even parasite interactions with others. Slifer et al showed that it was possible to videotape these social interaction behaviors and thus after having identified the specific behavior propose a targeted help in order to develop new behavioral competencies [20].…”

Comparative Effectiveness Studies Examining Patient-Reported Outcomes among Children with Cleft Lip and/or Palate

“…The patient population for 18 studies consisted of cleft lip, cleft palate, and cleft lip and cleft palate patients. [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] Cleft palate and cleft lip and cleft palate patients only were grouped together in three studies. [42][43][44] Cleft lip and cleft palate patients were included in seven studies.…”

“…24,25,33,36,38,45,47 In contrast, 15 studies used specific control groups. [26][27][28][29][30][31]37,40,46,[48][49][50][51][52][53] A total of seven studies compared various subgroups within the sample population. 32,34,35,[41][42][43][44] (Tables 3 and 4) (see Appendix, Supplemental Digital Content 1, for content analysis, http://links.lww.com/PRS/ B188).…”

“…25,30,33,45,50 variability has been demonstrated using various questionnaires, including the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, KIDCOPE, Childhood Experience Questionnaire, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey ("SF-36"), and Satisfaction With Appearance assessments. 24,25,45,47 Social acceptance and facial behavior in children with oral clefts Slifer et al 40 25 children with no known physical abnormality Harter Self-Perception Profile Children in the cleft group more often displayed "tongue out," "eye contact," "mimicry, and "initiates conversation" facial behaviors. For the cleft group, "gaze avoidance" was significantly negatively correlated with social acceptance scores.…”