Distress and hopelessness among parents of children with congenital heart disease, parents of children with other diseases, and parents of healthy children
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Date
2002
Authors
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Publisher
Journal of psychosomatic research
Abstract
We examined differences in distress (i.e., depression,
anxiety, and somatisation) and hopelessness (e.g., suicide
ideation) among parents of congenital heart disease (CHD)
children (PCCHD, n = 1092), parents of children with other
diseases (PCOD, n = 112), and parents of healthy children (PHC,
n = 293). In addition, we determined the proportion of parents in
each group whose scores in distress and hopelessness, respectively,
exceeded norms for psychiatric outpatients (POPN) and
depressed people, and identified determinants of distress and
hopelessness among all parents, and the PCCHD. Method: The
parents completed a questionnaire about such areas as distress and
hopelessness. The design was cross-sectional and data were
collected during 20 consecutive days. Results: PCCHD were
generally at higher risk of distress and hopelessness. A significant
number of parents, in particular PCCHD, reported levels of
distress and hopelessness within/above POPN and depressed
people, respectively. Mothers within all parent groups had higher
levels of distress and hopelessness than fathers, with the highest
levels among mothers of children with CHD compared to mothers
in the other groups. Fathers of children with CHD were doing
worse than fathers belonging to the other groups. There were no
differences between PCOD and PHC. Variables such as employment
status and financial situation explained more of the variation
in distress and hopelessness among parents than the diseases of
their children. Conclusion: We corroborated previous findings and
provide new insights into the experiences of PCCHD that may be
of importance when considering intervention. Further research
concerning the parents, in particular PCCHD, at risk of developing
psychosocial problems is needed
Description
Keywords
Congenital heart disease, Distress, Hopelessness, Mothers, Fathers, Parents, Predictors
Citation
Lawoko, S., & Soares, JJ (2002). Distress and hopelessness among parents of children with congenital heart disease, parents of children with other diseases, and parents of healthy children. Journal of psychosomatic research , 52 (4), 193-208.