Psychosocial Adjustment of Children with Microtia

2018

This study will investigate the psychosocial adjustment of participants who have undergone reconstructive surgery for microtia using the MEDPOR technique. This MEDPOR technique permits earlier surgeryas early as age 3 compared to earlier surgical techniques. The study will take place with two groups of participants. The first group will be a prospective investigation of participants born with isolated microtia who are receiving the MEDPOR technique ear reconstructive surgery for the first time and their parents. The second group will be retrospective with participants also born with isolated microtia who have already completed MEDPOR ear reconstruction. The participants will between 3 to 18 years of age and speak and understand English or Spanish. The measures completed by both groups of participants will provide important descriptive data about their current psychosocial adjustment and the developmental course of their self-image, peer relations, and social skills. It is expected that older children will have experienced significantly more teasing than younger children and consequently the older children will report lower positive adjustment and higher negative adjustment. For the prospective group, the study will also provide a better understanding of surgery expectations, the surgery process is experienced, and their satisfaction with the outcome.

Microtia, MEDPOR, psychosocial adjustment

Performing Research or Evaluation

Health-Related Activities

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN

Racial or Ethnic Minorities

Not Applicable

N/A