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Resilience and difficulties of parents of children with a cleft lip and palate
Author(s) -
Ueki Shingo,
Fujita Yuichi,
Kitao Mika,
Kumagai Yukari,
Ike Miho,
Niinomi Kazuteru,
Matsunaka Eriko,
Fujiwara Chieko
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
japan journal of nursing science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.363
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 1742-7924
pISSN - 1742-7932
DOI - 10.1111/jjns.12231
Subject(s) - resilience (materials science) , psychology , developmental psychology , medicine , orthodontics , physics , thermodynamics
Aim The present study explored the differences in emotional difficulties and resilience between fathers and mothers of a child with a cleft lip and palate. Methods Married couples were recruited who were accompanying their child with a cleft lip and palate (<12 years old) on regular visits to an outpatient clinic in a Japanese hospital. The participants were distributed an anonymous questionnaire that included items regarding emotional difficulties with the cleft lip and palate and a scale to measure resilience when caring for the children. In the data analysis, the paired t ‐test was used to compare the individuals within the couples. Results By analyzing the data of 64 couples who provided valid responses, two items with the highest mean score for the difficulties that were faced by both the father and mother of a child with a cleft lip and palate were: “I am worried about whether the child's teeth will be straightened” and “I am worried that the children could suffer due to their appearance.” The mothers felt significantly more worry about their child's future and more guilt than did the fathers. In contrast, the fathers had greater resilience, in terms of problem‐solving skills and recognition and acceptance than did the mothers. Conclusion It is important that healthcare providers understand the difference between the fathers’ and mothers’ worries about their child with a cleft lip and palate. Specific support services should be offered to fathers with a high level of resilience, in terms of the acceptance of reality and problem‐solving, which could increase their parenting ability.