A qualitative study of health-related quality of life and psychosocial adjustments of Thai adolescents with repaired cleft lips and palates.

Abstract

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). 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. 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. 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.