A Relationship between Nasolabial Appearance and Self-esteem in Adolescent with Repaired Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate at Khon Kaen University Cleft Center
Niramol Patjanasoontorn MD*, Kusalaporn Wongniyom MD*, Suteera Pradubwong MSN**, Navanant Piyavhakul MD*, Bowornsilp Chowchuen MD***
Affiliation : * Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Division of Nursing, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand *** Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective : To examine levels of self-esteem of adolescents with repaired cleft lip and cleft palate at Khon Kaen University Cleft
Center and its correlation with nasolabial appearance.
Material and Method: Across-sectional survey of 93 adolescents with repaired cleft lip and palate.
Results : A total nasolabial appearance score was 2.8+0.36 (fair to good). The mean of the total self-esteem score for all
respondents was 20.11+3.27 (maximum 30). There was no significant correlation between nasolabial appearance and self
esteem (Pearson product-moment correlation co efficiency (r) = 0.18, p = 0.08. The self-esteem scores of good, fair and poor
appearance were 20.5+0.98, 19.8+0.32, 19+2.09 respectively.
Conclusion : The nasolabial appearance of repaired cleft lip and palate not be the only factor but other psychosocial factors
also may play a role in their self-esteem. The analysis of this study found no relationship between self-esteem and appearance.
Keywords : Self esteem, Adolescents with cleft lip and cleft palate, Appearance and aesthetic level
