title: Psychological aspects of parents of children with craniofacial anomalies.
abstract: Parents of 27 children with pure craniosynostosis seen at a craniofacial clinic were surveyed to measure variables associated with family psychological stress. Each parent was asked to complete the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress and to provide information on various family and demographic characteristics. The level of psychological stress was positively associated with the number of older children in the home, not having one's own car, and not having prior experience caring for a handicapped person. Having someone to help care for one's child was also positively associated with family stress level. The level of family stress was negatively associated with the respondent's current health and degree of satisfaction with the amount of time clinic staff spent with one's child. These findings suggest a means of identifying families at high risk for stress associated with having a child with a craniofacial disorder who may need supportive services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Coulter
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scheuerle
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laude
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Habal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires