Self-perceived facial appearance and psychosocial adjustment in preadolescents with craniofacial anomalies.

OBJECTIVE

To identify aspects of psychosocial adjustment related to the self-perceived facial appearance of preadolescents with craniofacial abnormalities.

DESIGN

Concurrent relationships were evaluated using a within-group correlational design.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were 24 patients, aged 11 to 13, of a major craniofacial center and their parents who were contacted by telephone and agreed to participate.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-report and parent-report questionnaires assessing psychosocial adjustment.

RESULTS

Self-perceived facial appearance was positively correlated with global self-worth, self-perceived social acceptance, and number of same-sex close friends, and negatively correlated with loneliness, parent-rated social problems, and parental advice/support and concern (all p's < .05 or better).

CONCLUSIONS

Dissatisfaction with facial appearance was associated with peer relationship problems and low global self-esteem, but not with other aspects of self-concept or other types of adjustment problems.