Psychological Health in Adults With Craniofacial Microsomia: Exploring Factors Associated With Distress and Well-Being

Growing up with craniofacial microsomia (CFM) can impact many areas of life, yet little is understood about the psychosocial factors that influence outcomes. The aim of this study was to gain preliminary insight into the factors associated with psychological distress and well-being in adults with CFM, with the longer-term goal of informing larger studies, screening practices, and intervention. Twenty-nine adults with CFM responded to an online cross-sectional survey about their psychological health. Participants reported significantly more symptoms of anxiety and depression compared with published norms. Approximately one-quarter met screening criteria for post-traumatic stress. Participants also reported significantly lower levels of body esteem and global self-worth, alongside indications of attachment difficulties in relationships. Factors associated with more favorable outcomes included greater satisfaction with hearing, facial appearance, and speech; higher levels of optimism; and greater satisfaction with friendships in adulthood. A greater number of CFM features and a higher number of self-reported mental health diagnoses were associated with higher levels of distress. While this study represents a small, clinically impacted group of adults with CFM, findings align with similar studies and highlight a subset of adults in need of psychological support. The findings of this study can be tentatively used to inform future research and clinical practice.