Psychosocial morbidity among parents of children with congenital heart disease: A prospective longitudinal study
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Date
2006
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Heart & Lung
Abstract
The study objectives were to assess long-term psychosocial morbidity and its determinants
among parents of children with congenital heart disease (PCCHD), and to compare mothers with fathers
on psychosocial variables.
METHOD: The study design was longitudinal. Data comprising PCCHD (n 632, 58% were women)
were collected on two occasions 1 year apart.
RESULTS: Many PCCHD reported psychosocial problems manifested in depression (18%), anxiety
(16%-18%), somatization (31%-38%), and hopelessness (16%) during both measurement points. In
addition, 7% to 22% reported psychosocial problems persisting over a 1-year period. Consistently over
time, mothers reported more severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, somatization, and hopelessness
than fathers. Children’s clinical severity did not significantly explain parent’s psychosocial morbidity
over time. Instead, parental caregiving burden, dissatisfaction with care, social isolation, and financial
instability were associated with an increased risk of long-standing psychosocial morbidity.
CONCLUSIONS: An important proportion of PCCHD are at risk of long-standing psychosocial morbidity,
suggesting that psychosocial intervention may be beneficial. Feasible interventions are discussed.
Description
Keywords
Psychosocial morbidity, Parents, Children with congenital heart disease
Citation
Lawoko, S., & Soares, J. J. (2006). Psychosocial morbidity among parents of children with congenital heart disease: a prospective longitudinal study. Heart & Lung, 35(5), 301-314. doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2006.01.004