Author:
Utens Elisabeth M.,Versluis-Den Bieman Herma J.,Verhulst Frank C.,Witsenburg Maarten,Bogers Ad J.J.C.,Hess John
Abstract
AbstractAimsWe sought to assess the level of psychological distress, and the styles of coping of, parents of children with congenital heart disease. The study was based on questionnaires, which were completed, on average, four weeks, with a range from 0.1 to 22.1 weeks, prior to elective cardiac surgery or elective catheter intervention.MethodsWe used the General Health Questionnaire, and the Utrecht Coping List, to compare scores from parents of those undergoing surgery, with scores of reference groups, and with scores of the parents of those undergoing intervention.ResultsOverall, in comparison with our reference groups, the parents of the 75 children un dergoing surgery showed elevated levels of psychological distress, manifested as anxiety, sleeplessness, and social dysfunctioning. They also demonstrated less adequate styles of coping, being, for example, less active in solving problems. With only one exception, no differences were demonstrated in parental reactions to whether cardiac surgery or catheter intervention had been planned. The mothers of the 68 patients who were to undergo cardiac surgery, however, reported greater psychological distress and manifested greater problems with coping than did the fathers.ConclusionElevated levels of psychological distress, and less adequate styles of coping, were found in the parents of patients about to undergo cardiac surgery, especially the mothers, when compared to reference groups. Future research should investigate whether these difficulties persist, and whether this will influence the emotional development of their children with congenital cardiac malformations.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Subject
Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine,General Medicine,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
Reference15 articles.
1. Psychological factors in congenital heart disease in children;Kitchen;J Fam Prac,1978
2. Disturbed mother-infant interaction in association with congenital heart disease.
Cited by
37 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献