Abstract
The purpose of this study was to survey the psychological state of grandmothers whose grandchildren underwent cheiloplasty to correct a cleft lip and/or palate （CLP）. Specifically, we clarified the grandmother’s psychological aspects related to her daughter and family in the period from being informed about the grandchild’s CLP through the post-cheiloplasty.
We conducted semi-structured interviews with each grandmother at the hospital after their grandchild’s cheiloplasty procedure. The participants were 15 grandmothers （either paternal or maternal）. Qualitative data were analyzed using the qualitative descriptive method.
Based on our analysis, we classified the participants’ psychological states related to their daughters and families into the following four categories: 1） concerns regarding their daughter’s suffering and the negative impacts on families, 2） determination to support their daughters, 3） relief that their daughters and families responded calmly and happily, and 4） relief by feeling the power of families in coping well with the circumstances.
Some grandmothers became more concerned about the physical and mental condition of their daughter than about their grandchild, particularly if their daughter was very upset about her child’s CLP.
The study clarified that when their daughters were in a critical situation, the grandmothers prioritized support for their daughters. Their distress lessened as they interacted with their daughters, facilitating their acceptance of their grandchildren’s CLP. In addition, grandmothers played a role in coordination and consideration, and were relieved to feel the power of their families.
