"Healing Beyond the Smile: Psychosocial Challenges and Coping Strategies among Parents of Children with Cleft Lip and Palate — A Nursing Perspective"

Abstract: Children born with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) face not only surgical and developmental challenges but also psychosocial implications that extend deeply into family life. Parents of these children experience a complex mix of emotional, social, and practical challenges that demand understanding and support from healthcare professionals. This review explores the psychosocial difficulties encountered by parents of children with CL/P and the coping strategies they employ, highlighting the crucial role nurses play in supporting families through the child’s developmental and treatment journey. Literature indicates that parents often face initial emotional turmoil, persistent anxiety, social stigma, and financial strain, which can affect family functioning and quality of life. However, coping strategies such as active participation in care, information seeking, emotional acceptance, and reliance on social and spiritual support help parents adapt over time. Nursing interventions—through early assessment, psychosocial counselling, education, and peer connection—have shown to mitigate stress and strengthen resilience. The article concludes with implications for nursing practice, policy, and research, emphasizing the need for family-centred and culturally sensitive psychosocial care for parents of children with CL/P.