Self-Identified Employment Challenges for Young Adults with a Cleft Lip and Palate: A Qualitative Exploration
As individuals with a cleft lip and palate (CLP) transition into adulthood, they face unique employment challenges related to income, job stability, and fewer career options. This study explored these challenges through two focus group discussions with 19 participants (aged 21–38), primarily women,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Behavioral Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/1/91 |
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| author | Haslina Rani Hasherah Mohd Ibrahim Nurshazwanie Amira Mohamed Noor Shafie Suziyani Mohamed Azianura Hani Shaari Murshida Marizan Nor Tuti Ningseh Mohd-Dom |
| author_facet | Haslina Rani Hasherah Mohd Ibrahim Nurshazwanie Amira Mohamed Noor Shafie Suziyani Mohamed Azianura Hani Shaari Murshida Marizan Nor Tuti Ningseh Mohd-Dom |
| author_sort | Haslina Rani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As individuals with a cleft lip and palate (CLP) transition into adulthood, they face unique employment challenges related to income, job stability, and fewer career options. This study explored these challenges through two focus group discussions with 19 participants (aged 21–38), primarily women, to understand their employment experiences. Thematic analysis revealed the following three main themes: (1) physical factors, (2) psychosocial factors, and (3) overcoming employment challenges, with nine sub-themes including speech, hearing, appearance, health, childhood experiences, societal expectations, lack of self-confidence, communication improvement, and self-esteem building. The findings highlighted that physical and psychosocial factors significantly shape employment outcomes for CLP individuals. Difficulties with speech often hinder professional communication, while appearance concerns can reduce confidence in interviews and workplaces. To address these issues, the participants used strategies like targeted speech therapy and self-esteem building, which helped improve their communication and resilience. This study emphasises the need for targeted interventions such as specialised career counselling, access to assistive technologies, and inclusive workplace policies to support CLP individuals in overcoming employment barriers and achieving stable careers. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2ce823c92ec74150b46082092c32a0db |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-328X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Behavioral Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-2ce823c92ec74150b46082092c32a0db2025-01-24T13:22:52ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2025-01-011519110.3390/bs15010091Self-Identified Employment Challenges for Young Adults with a Cleft Lip and Palate: A Qualitative ExplorationHaslina Rani0Hasherah Mohd Ibrahim1Nurshazwanie Amira Mohamed Noor Shafie2Suziyani Mohamed3Azianura Hani Shaari4Murshida Marizan Nor5Tuti Ningseh Mohd-Dom6Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, MalaysiaFaculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, MalaysiaFaculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, MalaysiaFaculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, MalaysiaFaculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, MalaysiaFaculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, MalaysiaFaculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, MalaysiaAs individuals with a cleft lip and palate (CLP) transition into adulthood, they face unique employment challenges related to income, job stability, and fewer career options. This study explored these challenges through two focus group discussions with 19 participants (aged 21–38), primarily women, to understand their employment experiences. Thematic analysis revealed the following three main themes: (1) physical factors, (2) psychosocial factors, and (3) overcoming employment challenges, with nine sub-themes including speech, hearing, appearance, health, childhood experiences, societal expectations, lack of self-confidence, communication improvement, and self-esteem building. The findings highlighted that physical and psychosocial factors significantly shape employment outcomes for CLP individuals. Difficulties with speech often hinder professional communication, while appearance concerns can reduce confidence in interviews and workplaces. To address these issues, the participants used strategies like targeted speech therapy and self-esteem building, which helped improve their communication and resilience. This study emphasises the need for targeted interventions such as specialised career counselling, access to assistive technologies, and inclusive workplace policies to support CLP individuals in overcoming employment barriers and achieving stable careers.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/1/91cleft lip and palatepsychologybehavioural sciencesoccupationself-esteemmultidisciplinary |
| spellingShingle | Haslina Rani Hasherah Mohd Ibrahim Nurshazwanie Amira Mohamed Noor Shafie Suziyani Mohamed Azianura Hani Shaari Murshida Marizan Nor Tuti Ningseh Mohd-Dom Self-Identified Employment Challenges for Young Adults with a Cleft Lip and Palate: A Qualitative Exploration Behavioral Sciences cleft lip and palate psychology behavioural sciences occupation self-esteem multidisciplinary |
| title | Self-Identified Employment Challenges for Young Adults with a Cleft Lip and Palate: A Qualitative Exploration |
| title_full | Self-Identified Employment Challenges for Young Adults with a Cleft Lip and Palate: A Qualitative Exploration |
| title_fullStr | Self-Identified Employment Challenges for Young Adults with a Cleft Lip and Palate: A Qualitative Exploration |
| title_full_unstemmed | Self-Identified Employment Challenges for Young Adults with a Cleft Lip and Palate: A Qualitative Exploration |
| title_short | Self-Identified Employment Challenges for Young Adults with a Cleft Lip and Palate: A Qualitative Exploration |
| title_sort | self identified employment challenges for young adults with a cleft lip and palate a qualitative exploration |
| topic | cleft lip and palate psychology behavioural sciences occupation self-esteem multidisciplinary |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/1/91 |
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