PERCEPTION OF CHILDREN WITH CRANIOFACIAL MICROSOMIA ABNORMALITIES BY THEIR CLOSE RELATIVES

Background: When a child is born with a deformed face, his/her social environment is quickly confronted with a change which undoubtedly favours numerous over-generalizations. Children with craniofacial microsomia anomalies (CFCs) may experience less social support, more rejection and make them withdraw from their social life more frequently. The purpose of this research study is to show how children with craniofacial hypoplasia abnormalities is perceived by their close relatives. Material/Methods: The sample of this study consisted of 26 participants (F=16; M=10). This research study was conducted using the following questionnaire methods: the Scale of Over-Generalization Effect by K. Milska and A. Manski (SOGE), modified Own Health Assessment Scale method (SOWC) and the Authors-Designed Questionnaire (ADQ) to obtain information on the issue. Results: A child's illness always affects a variety of family life spheres. Most of the surveyed women did not experience any complication during pregnancy or childbirth. Unfortunately, after their child was diagnosed, most adults were not offered getting in contact with a psychologist / psychiatrist / psychotherapist. Some relatives - after the birth of a child with craniofacial microsomia (CFM) - reduced their working hours or gave up work completely in order to take care of the child. The most urgent needs for this child's illness reported by adults most often referred to educational and financial matters. At the time of this research study, most of the respondents (61%) - upon the birth of a child with CFM - considered it plausible to enlarge their family. Conclusions: As a result of the conducted research studies, new variable systems (a type and character of dysmorphia, closeness - distance) were identified, which may be a relevant element to facilitate research studies on the perception of children with body deformities by their environment. In the characteristics of a child with CFM, it was shown that his/her close relatives evaluate the child positively. Family members apply constructive strategies for coping with the child's illness, however, the research study results indicate the legitimacy of introduction of psychological and psychiatric consultations for close relatives to the standards of CFM child treatment.