Maternal and Child Locus of Control and Field Dependence in Cleft Palate Children

Abstract

The cleft palate experience includes events which are beyond the control of cleft palate children and their mothers. To investigate whether the experiences relate to other maternal and child variables, 44-cleft palate children, 9—18 years of age, and their mothers were compared to 61 control children and their mothers. Maternal variables included locus of control and perceived reactions to the child's birth. Child variables included locus of control, field dependence, parental perceptions, and teacher ratings. Mothers of children with Cleft palates indicated a significantly greater negative impact at their Children's births but did not indicate greater externality. Children with clefts were significantly more external in control, were more field-dependent, perceived parental reactions as more negative, and had more negative academic ratings. Mothers who were more external in locus of control had children who were more field—dependent and had more external control. Early experiences related to cleft palate management may have subsequent and long-lasting effects on mother and child. In psychiatric interviews with children, a remarka— ble degree of passivity was observed in cleft palate children (Tisza et al., 1973). Tisza and her co-workers took the position that these children were forced into passivity because their mothers could not protect them from potentially traumatic events. Such events encompass surgical experiences, which may be inexplicable to young children; hospitaliza— tions involving enforced separations from the mother; and examinations of the child where the mother participates as a passive onlooker.