Cleft Lip and Palate in Adolescence Identifying Variables Relating to Psychosocial Concerns

Abstract

Background: It is postulated that individuals with cleft lip and palate may be at risk to experience psychosocial problem based upon their congenital malformation. Since cleft is one of the more common congenital malformations it is of importance to address this postulation. Purpose: To investigate if adolescents with cleft lip and palate have an altered self- concept, and to assess their degree of introversion. Materials and Methods: The cleft lip and/or palate group consisted of 55 adolescents (17 to 20 years) while the control group consisted of 31 adolescents (16 to 19 years). Results: In this study, TSCS indicated the individuals with cleft did not experience low self-concept in comparison with the control group, in actuality the overall score indicated a significant higher self-esteem 356.60 +/-30.22 (t(80) = 2.41; p < .05) as well in sub-scale; identity, behaviour and family self. When comparing the individuals with cleft lip and palate, cleft lip or cleft palate, they did not differ from one another (F(2, 47) = 1,79; p > .05). Conclusion: Adolescents with cleft seem to have a normal to high self-concept without an accentuated degree of introversion and also Academic achievement of adolescents with cleft is significantly reduced, particularly in the group with cleft palate.