A Psychological Analysis of the Korean Mothers of Cleft Lip and Palate Patients: Screening for Psychological Counseling and Neuropsychiatric Treatment

The purpose of this study is to examine the psychological states and the stress levels of the Korean mothers who have cleft lip and palate child patients. The authors explored whether psychological assessments of the mothers with child patients could play a role in screening for psychiatric counseling. Thirty-six mothers of child patients admitted to receive cleft lip and palate surgery at Seoul National University Children's Hospital were recruited as subjects of this study. The 3 questionnaires included in the study were the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Parenting Stress Inventory. We compared these results with those of general population according to the domestic studies. The statistical significances of these results were analyzed using Mann-Whitney method. The average score from the Beck Depression Inventory was 8.89 with standard deviation of 6.08. The average score from the Beck Anxiety Inventory was 9.69 with standard deviation of 6.89. In the Parenting Stress Inventory, the average score was 55.06 and standard deviation was 16.45. However, there were no statistically significant differences between mothers whose children have underwent surgery versus no surgery and mothers whose children had visible versus invisible anomalies. The reliable psychological analysis of depression, anxiety, and stress levels of the mothers of child patients allowed the authors to assess the psychological states of the mothers of child patients. Such assessment can play a vital role in the screening of candidates who need psychiatric treatment or consultation.