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Children with cleft lip and/or palate reported lower self-concept, particularly regarding physical appearance. Cleft girls experienced more unhappiness, anxiety, and academic challenges compared to noncleft peers.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Pediatrics
- Plastic Surgery
Background:
- Self-concept is crucial for child development.
- Cleft lip and/or palate can impact a child's psychosocial well-being.
- Understanding self-concept differences is vital for targeted support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the self-concept of children with cleft lip and/or palate to that of noncleft children.
- To investigate the influence of sex on self-concept in children with clefts.
- To identify specific areas of self-concept affected by cleft lip and/or palate.
Main Methods:
- A matched-pairs design was used, comparing 34 children with clefts to 34 noncleft children (ages 11-13).
- The Piers-Harris Children's Self Concept Scale was administered to all participants.
- Statistical analysis examined group differences and interactions.
Main Results:
- Children with clefts reported significantly lower self-concept, especially concerning physical appearance.
- A significant interaction between sex and cleft presence was observed.
- Cleft girls reported greater unhappiness, dissatisfaction, anxiety, and lower academic success compared to noncleft girls and boys.
Conclusions:
- Cleft lip and/or palate is associated with diminished self-concept, particularly in physical appearance.
- Psychosocial support should address sex-specific vulnerabilities in children with clefts.
- Interventions may need to focus on improving self-esteem, reducing anxiety, and enhancing academic confidence in affected children.
Abstract:
This investigation examined the relationship of the self-concept of children with cleft lip and/or palate to the self-concept of noncleft children. Thirty-four cleft lip and/or palate children between the ages of 11 and 13 were individually matched with thirty-four noncleft school children. Each child was given the Piers-Harris Children's Self Concept Scale. Children with clefts, regardless of sex, reported a significantly greater dissatisfaction with physical appearance. A significant interaction effect between sex and presence or absence of cleft was found on three cluster scores with cleft girls reporting greater unhappiness and dissatisfaction, less success in school, and more anxiety.