Date of Award
6-2007
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
Department
Speech Pathology and Audiology
First Advisor
Dr. Helen Sharp
Second Advisor
Dr. Dilip Patel
Third Advisor
Dr. Stephen Tasko
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
Background: The literature suggests adolescents have the cognitive abilities equivalent to an adult for health related decisions. Adolescents should participate in treatment planning at a level equivalent to their cognitive abilities and the extent they desire. Little is known regarding adolescents' perceived and desired level of involvement in decision making in an oral cleft clinic.
Purpose: To describe adolescents' perceptions of their roles and desired level of involvement in decision-making in an oral cleft clinic.
Methods: Four adolescents completed a questionnaire and participated in focus groups.
Results: Participants reported that they perceive they are involved in decision-making processes, are knowledgeable about their cleft, and believe they will be ready to make independent decisions by age 18. Participants advocated for increased autonomy, but some expressed a preference for parents to make decisions.
Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest adolescents perceive they are involved in decision-making and will be ready to make decisions about their clefts when they tum 18. Most participants feel adolescents should play a major role, while others prefer that parents continue to make significant health related decisions. Findings are limited by a small sample size.
Recommended Citation
Hague, Rebecca Ann, "Adolescents’ Perceptions of Their Roles in Decision-Making in the Oral Cleft Clinic" (2007). Masters Theses. 4665.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/4665