Volker Gassling1, Caroline Christoph2, Kristina Wahle2, Bernd Koos3, Jörg Wiltfang2, Wolf-Dieter Gerber4, Michael Siniatchkin5. 1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany. Electronic address: gassling@mkg.uni-kiel.de. 2. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany. 3. Department of Orthodontics, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany. 4. Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany. 5. Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Having a child with an orofacial cleft may be associated with a specific pattern of parenting. In order to investigate the parenting style, the present study assessed parent-child interactions during a problem-solving task performed under pressure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Parent-child interactions were video recorded for 15 families with a child with a cleft lip and palate (CLP), which were then compared to 20 healthy families and 20 families with a child suffering from migraines. The children had to solve a puzzle within a specified time with either their mother or father. RESULTS: In families with a child with CLP, mothers tried to support their children more often and children demonstrated more autonomous behaviour towards both parents than children in healthy and migraine-affected families. Moreover, the children with CLP relied less on their fathers for help and interrupted their fathers less frequently. CONCLUSIONS: Autonomous behaviour among children with CLP which is supported by their parents may represent psychosocial compensatory mechanisms in the family environment.
INTRODUCTION: Having a child with an orofacial cleft may be associated with a specific pattern of parenting. In order to investigate the parenting style, the present study assessed parent-child interactions during a problem-solving task performed under pressure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Parent-child interactions were video recorded for 15 families with a child with a cleft lip and palate (CLP), which were then compared to 20 healthy families and 20 families with a child suffering from migraines. The children had to solve a puzzle within a specified time with either their mother or father. RESULTS: In families with a child with CLP, mothers tried to support their children more often and children demonstrated more autonomous behaviour towards both parents than children in healthy and migraine-affected families. Moreover, the children with CLP relied less on their fathers for help and interrupted their fathers less frequently. CONCLUSIONS: Autonomous behaviour among children with CLP which is supported by their parents may represent psychosocial compensatory mechanisms in the family environment.