Ann Plast Reconstr Surg | Volume 3, Issue 2 | Short Communication | Open Access

The Psychological Impact of Ethnicity on Cleft Lip and Palate: A Preliminary Study

Sridhayan Mahalingam^1* and Tariq Ahmad²

¹Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, UK
²Department of Plastic Surgery, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, UK

^*Correspondance to: Sridhayan Mahalingam 

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Abstract

It has been postulated that those with facial disfigurement are prone to increased stigma within certain ethnic communities. For children with cleft conditions, this is likely to have a significant impact upon their growth and development. In this preliminary study, we aim to explore the psychosocial issues surrounding cleft conditions through interviewing ethnic minority parents (n=10), and comparing their opinions from Caucasian parents (n=14). Results show that ethnic minority parents report fewer incidences of teasing/bullying compared to Caucasians (29% vs. 0%). Furthermore 0% of ethnic minority parents feel their children would benefit from specialist psychological support, as opposed to 71% of Caucasians. However, in a social gathering organized for ethnic minority parents, issues surrounding discrimination from family and friends became more evident. Apart from calling for more research into this field, our study suggests that psychological services should actively engage with the needs of this specific subset of individuals.

Keywords:

Craniofacial growth; Psychosocial adjustment; Cleft lip and palate

Citation:

Mahalingam S, Ahmad T. The Psychological Impact of Ethnicity on Cleft Lip and Palate: A Preliminary Study. Ann Plast Reconstr Surg. 2019;3(2):1030.