title: A qualitative study of health-related quality of life and psychosocial adjustments of Thai adolescents with repaired cleft lips and palates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purposes of the present study were (1) to study the meaning of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) from the insider's perspective and (2) to explore the relevant psychosocial adjustments involved in the HRQoL of Thai 12-to-17-year-old adolescents with repaired cleft lip and cleft palate (CLP).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included a sample of 18 adolescents with non-syndromic repaired CLP and 6 parents of these adolescents. The participants were recruited from an orthodontic clinic in the Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, and all were in-depth interviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HRQoL can be categorized into four domains: physical symptoms,functional limitations, emotional well-being and social well-being. In the affected group they were striking differences in psychological assets, psychosocial resources and socioeconomic disparities. The majority of these participants were well-adjusted and able to cope with the adversities they experienced as a result of their conditions; hence it was noted that, participants with consistent support from parents,friends and professionals were likely to have a positive health status and satisfaction with treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings have important implications in measuring a multidimensional HRQoL construct, and will enhance issues regarding adaptation strategies which have an impact on HRQoL of adolescents with CLP.
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Science Research Institute, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Jutharat
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chimruang
authors.forename: Omduean
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Soadmanee
authors.forename: Patcharawan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Srisilapanan
authors.forename: Niramol
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Patjanasoontorn
authors.forename: Nuntinee
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nanthavanich
authors.forename: Wiladlak
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chuawanlee
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000601:surgery*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013785:Thailand