@Article{chd.12547,
AUTHOR = {Astrida Kaugars, Clarissa Shields, Cheryl Brosig},
TITLE = {Stress and quality of life among parents of children with congenital heart disease referred for psychological services},
JOURNAL = {Structural and Congenital Heart Disease},
VOLUME = {13},
YEAR = {2018},
NUMBER = {1},
PAGES = {72--78},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/schd/v13n1/38947},
ISSN = {3071-1738},
ABSTRACT = {<b>Objective:</b> The study examined parent stress and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among
families of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) referred for psychological services.<br/>
<b>Methods:</b> Parents of 54 children (85% boys) aged 3 to 13 (M<sub>age</sub> = 7.48, SD = 2.38) completed
measures to assess parenting stress (Parenting Stress Index – Short Form; Pediatric Inventory for
Parents) and the PedsQL Family Impact Module. Medical information was retrieved from medical
record review.<br/>
<b>Results:</b> Half of parents of children with single ventricle anatomy had clinically significant levels of
parenting stress. Parents of children with single ventricle anatomy reported more frequent illnessrelated stress and more difficulty dealing with illness-related stress than parents of children with
two ventricle anatomy. Younger gestational age at birth and referral for attention or behavior problems were associated with greater likelihood of parent at-risk psychosocial functioning.<br/>
<b>Conclusions:</b> Among children referred for psychological services, many parents report significant
stress and significant negative impact of the child’s medical condition on the family. Results underscore the need to consider assessing parent psychosocial functioning and providing additional
support for parents of children with CHD.},
DOI = {10.1111/chd.12547}
}