Examination of mental health status and aggravation level among mothers of children with isolated oral clefts.

OBJECTIVE: To examine self-reported mental health status and aggravation level in mothers of children with isolated oral clefts. METHODS: Population-based sample of children (aged 4 to 9 years) with isolated oral clefts was enumerated from births from 1998 through 2003 in Arkansas, Iowa, and New York State. Mothers of 294 children completed the Mental Health Inventory 5-item questionnaire and Aggravation in Parenting Scale. The Mental Health Inventory and Aggravation in Parenting Scale scores, stratified by poor (Mental Health Inventory ≤ 67) and better (Mental Health Inventory > 67) mental health status or high (Aggravation in Parenting Scale ≤ 11), moderate (Aggravation in Parenting Scale = 12 to 15) and low (Aggravation in Parenting Scale = 16) aggravation, were compared by selected maternal and child characteristics. Mean scores for each instrument and proportion of mothers with poor mental health or high aggravation were compared with those reported in the National Survey of American Families. RESULTS: Mean scores for each instrument and proportion of mothers with poor mental health or high aggravation differed little from published data. Mothers with poor mental health tended to be less educated, to have lower household incomes, and to rate their health and their child's health lower than those in better mental health. Mothers with high aggravation tended to have lower household incomes, to have more children, and to rate their health and their child's health lower than those with moderate or low aggravation. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers of affected children were not more likely to experience poor mental health or high aggravation compared with published data; however, sociodemographic characteristics were associated with maternal psychosocial adaptation. Brief screeners for mental health and parenting administered during routine appointments may facilitate identifying at-risk caregivers.