Evaluation of Anxiety in Turkish Parents of Newborns with Cleft Palate with or Without Cleft Lip

Abstract

Objective (1) To compare anxiety between parents of newborns with cleft lip and palate (CLP), isolated cleft palate (CP), and healthy newborns and (2) to evaluate anxiety between parental dyads within these groups. Design A cross-sectional study. Setting University Hospital. Participants Surveys were completed by 20 mothers and 20 fathers of newborns with CLP, 21 mothers and 21 fathers of newborns with CP, and 23 mothers and 23 fathers of healthy newborns (controls). Main Outcome Measure The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) assessed parental anxiety. Mothers of newborns with a cleft reported on concerns regarding cleft-related issues and facial appearance. Results State and trait anxiety were generally in the moderate range for parents of newborns with a cleft, while control parents had low state anxiety and moderate trait anxiety. Mothers of newborns with CP and CLP had significantly higher state and trait anxiety levels than control mothers ( p < .05). Fathers of newborns with CLP had a higher state anxiety level than control fathers. When maternal and paternal anxiety was compared within the groups, only trait anxiety scores were significantly higher in mothers of newborns with CLP than that of fathers ( p < .05). More than half of mothers of newborns with a cleft were concerned about their newborn's feeding, speech, and palate. Conclusions Parents of children with a cleft may need psychological support in the early postnatal period. It is important for neonatal cleft team providers to help reduce parental anxiety and educate families about cleft care, with a focus on feeding.

Factors Associated With Perception of Stigma Among Parents of Children With Cleft Lip and Palate: Cross-Sectional Study

“…Parents of children with CL/P experience obvious depression and anxiety. It is consistent with the findings of previous studies reporting that parents of newborns with CL/P had significantly higher levels of anxiety compared to control parents [ 20 ]. The study findings are consistent with the current literature, as depression or depressed mood in parents of children with CL/P is a common phenomenon [ 21 , 22 ].…”

“…However, previous studies [ 14 , 18 ] suggested that mothers of children with CL/P experienced severe stigma or discrimination while ignoring the possibility that fathers also experienced high levels of discrimination. Two other studies [ 19 , 20 ] pointed out that the main sources of stress among fathers were the treatment process, feeding, and social stigma. Therefore, in the care process of children with CL/P, we should not only focus on the mother’s psychological state but also consider the psychological state of the father.…”