Psychosocial functioning and sleep patterns in children and adolescents with cleft lip and palate (CLP) compared with healthy controls.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was twofold: to assess psychological functioning, interactional competencies, and sleep patterns in children and adolescents with cleft lip and palate (CLP), and to compare these results with those from age- and gender-matched controls. It was hypothesized that participants with CLP would exhibit greater difficulties in psychological functioning, more interactional difficulties, and poorer sleep patterns than those without CLP.


METHODS
Thirty-two children and adolescents with CLP and 34 controls were recruited. Ages ranged from 6 to 16 years.


METHODS
For psychosocial assessment, the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and a questionnaire on interactional competencies (PIELCQ) were completed; for sleep assessment, a sleep log was completed for seven consecutive nights.


RESULTS
Participants with and without CLP did not differ with respect to emotional problems, conduct problems, or hyperactivity. With respect to interactional competencies, participants with CLP were six times more likely to report difficulties. Unfavorable sleep patterns were associated with psychosocial strain but not with the presence of CLP.


CONCLUSIONS
RESULTS indicate that children and adolescents with CLP may report that they have sleep irregularities as often as those without CLP. In adolescence, the presence of CLP may be associated with increased difficulties. Consequently, skill training to improve context-related social competencies may be appropriate.
Brand
Serge
S
Psychiatric University Clinics, Sleep Medicine and Neurophysiology, Basel, Switzerland. serge.brand@upkbs.ch
Blechschmidt
Anja
A
Müller
Andreas
A
Sader
Robert
R
Schwenzer-Zimmerer
Katja
K
Zeilhofer
Hans-Florian
HF
Holsboer-Trachsler
Edith
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D004644:Emotions; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D012649:Self Concept; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000502:physiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology; D013694:Temperament / Q000502:physiology