title: Experiences of Couples Caring for a Child Born with Cleft Lip and/or Palate: Impact of the Timing of Diagnosis.
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' relational adjustment and coping. We conducted interviews with 17 couples (10 prenatal and seven postnatal) caring for children born with CL/P. After conducting thematic content analysis, six overarching themes emerged: (a) relationship growth, (b) challenges, (c) roles and responsibilities, (d) sources of support, (e) talking about cleft, and (f) lessons learned. Findings suggest that couples should be routinely assessed for psychosocial issues and prevention programs should be tailored to preexisting stressors and timing of the diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Kozyatağı Acıbadem Hospital.
authors.forename: Senem
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zeytinoğlu
authors.affiliation: University of Delaware.
authors.forename: Maureen P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.affiliation: Nation Wide Children's Hospital.
authors.forename: Canice
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Crerand
authors.affiliation: University of Delaware.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.affiliation: Istanbul Bilgi University.
authors.forename: Yudum
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Akyil
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009056:Mouth Abnormalities / Q000451:nursing*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012917:Social Adjustment; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors