Experiences of Couples Caring for a Child Born with Cleft Lip and/or Palate: Impact of the Timing of Diagnosis
Date
2016-07-08
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley for American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Abstract
Raising a child born with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) can be challenging for parents. Few
researchers have examined how having a child born with CL/P impacts couples. The purpose
of this descriptive qualitative study was to examine how a child’s CL/P diagnosis affects
couples’ adjustment and their relationship. We conducted interviews with 17 couples (10
prenatal and 7 postnatal) caring for children born with CL/P. After conducting thematic
content analysis, six overarching themes emerged: (1) relationship growth, (2) challenges, (3)
roles and responsibilities, (4) sources of support, (5) talking about cleft, and (6) lessons
learned. Findings suggest couples should be routinely assessed for psychosocial issues and
prevention programs should be tailored to pre-existing stressors and timing of the diagnosis.
Description
Final peer-reviewed manuscript
Keywords
Citation
Zeytinoğlu, S., Davey, M. P., Crerand, C., Fisher, K. and Akyil, Y. (2016). Experiences of couples caring for a child born with cleft lip and/or palate: Impact of the timing of diagnosis. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 00, 000–000. doi: 10.1111/jmft.12182