Mothers of Children with Facial Cleft Deformities: Reactions and Effects

Abstract

This descriptive study deals with maternal reactions to the birth of a child with a facial cleft deformity as well as the effects it had on their family and marital life. An open-ended questionnaire was distributed to a population of 204 mothers of children up to the age of 10 years attending a facial cleft deformity clinic. A response rate of 67,6% was obtained and the research group consisted of 138 married mothers from lower to middle income families with a mean age of 32 years. It was found that initial reactions to their children's deformity coupled with their reappraisals over time reflect a process of mourning where initial shock and disorganization resulted in most cases in a phase of reorganization. A progressive change from loss and threat appraisals to assessing the situation primarily as a challenge was noted. The birth of the child had both straining and strengthening effects on family life and on marital relations. In descending order, the effects on family life were reported to have influenced interpersonal relations, organizational aspects of the household, behavioural patterns, social life and personal well-being. Marital relationships were mostly strengthened as a result of taking responsibility for dealing with the child's deformity. Straining effects focused primarily on emotional rejection and behavioural withdrawal.