Self-Perceived Facial Appearance and Psychosocial Adjustment in Preadolescents with Craniofacial Anomalies

Abstract

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.