One person's flaw may be another person's strength, according to a study of cultural perceptions of cleft lip and cleft palate (Cleft Palate--Craniofacial Journal, September 2011, Vol. 48:5, pp. 497-508).
In the Western world, many people with these facial anomalies experience social and emotional difficulties because of the importance placed on appearance. In other parts of the world, a range of views are influenced by religion, superstition, and cultural prejudices.
For this study, a team of researchers from Miami University examined the psychosocial impact of having a cleft lip, cleft palate, or both on individuals in non-Anglo societies. They conducted a meta-analysis of studies in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Norway that included a total of 2,276 adolescents and adults with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P).
Past studies have described various reactions to CL/P, according to the study authors. In India, those of the Hindu religion have seen the anomaly as a source of shame due to sins of a past life. For Indian girls, it can be considered an obstacle to finding a husband, and an unmarried woman can be a burden to her family. China, the Philippines, and other developing countries reportedly view any facial disfigurement as a curse, ostracizing those who are affected.
In a more positive light, however, the Chamorro culture of the Mariana Islands sees a person with CL/P as "a gift from God, who belongs to everyone" and is to be protected and sheltered. Similarly, the facial anomaly is a source of pride to some Amazon cultures. And in a Brazilian shantytown, those with CL/P are seen as survivors, having "avenged fate."
The results of the current study show that, among those in non-Anglo cultures with CL/P, men are more likely than women to have psychosocial issues, and adults are more affected than adolescents, the authors reported. Among the four countries studied, people with CL/P in Shanghai, China, were most negatively affected, while those in Hong Kong appeared to be least affected.
Individuals with CL/P, no matter what their culture, gender, or age, are found to have lower psychological and emotional adjustment than those without CL/P, the authors noted. Those who provide healthcare and psychological intervention for people with CL/P can benefit from this examination of cultural attitudes.
In countries such as the U.S., where a conglomerate of cultures and beliefs come together, providers will be better able to communicate with and effectively treat patients with this anomaly, the researchers concluded.
