CLEFT LIP AND PALATE IN ADOLESCENCE IDENTIFYING VARIABLES RELATING TO PSYCHOSOCIAL CONCERNS

Abstract: In study I, 55 adolescents with cleft lip and palate and 31 adolescents without cleft filled out two questionnaires: the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale to assess self-concept, and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Inventory to assess the degree of introversion. In studies II & III, data regarding physical characteristic and general intellectual capacity were obtained from the Swedish National Service Enrolment Register for the years 1991-97. Data concerned 335 men with cleft lip with or without clef palate and 88 with cleft palate. They were compared with a control group of 272 879 men without cleft. In study IV, data regarding academic achievement at the time of leaving compulsory education were obtained by linking the Swedish Medical Birth Register for the years 1973-86 with the Swedish School Grade Register. Data concerned 651 individuals with cleft lip, 830 with cleft lip and palate, and 511 with cleft palate. They were compared with a control group consisting of 1 249 404 individuals without cleft. In summary, we found that adolescents with cleft seem to have a normal to high self-concept without an accentuated degree of introversion (I). A cleft influences body dimensions, particularly in the cleft palate group where weight, statue, and muscle strength (II) showed lowered values, this may be correlated to their reduced achievement in physical education at school (IV). The general intellectual capacity (III) supports other studies that individuals with cleft palate have certain cognitive difficulties while the academic achievement (IV) indicated that adolescents with cleft experience difficulties in their educational achievements.