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Browsing School of Nursing by Author "Akyil, Yudum"
(Wiley for American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 2016-07-08) Zeytinoğlu, Senem; Davey, Maureen P.; Crerand, Canice; Fisher, Kathleen; Akyil, Yudum; Senem Zeytinoğlu
Maureen P. Davey
Canice Crerand
Kathleen Fisher
Yudum Akyil; Davey, Maureen P.
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’ adjustment and their relationship. We conducted interviews with 17 couples (10
prenatal and 7 postnatal) caring for children born with CL/P. After conducting thematic
content analysis, six overarching themes emerged: (1) relationship growth, (2) challenges, (3)
roles and responsibilities, (4) sources of support, (5) talking about cleft, and (6) lessons
learned. Findings suggest couples should be routinely assessed for psychosocial issues and
prevention programs should be tailored to pre-existing stressors and timing of the diagnosis.