Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-18T10:58:37.507Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Looking beyond the biophysical realm to optimize health: results of a survey of psychological well-being in adults with congenital cardiac disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2008

Yvonne E. Balon ,
Karen L. Then ,
James A. Rankin  and
Tak Fung
Yvonne E. Balon*
Affiliation:
Adult Congenital Heart Clinic, Calgary Health Region and University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Karen L. Then
Affiliation:
Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
James A. Rankin
Affiliation:
Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Tak Fung
Affiliation:
Department of Information Technologies, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
*
Correspondence to: Yvonne E. Balon, RN, BN, MN, Adult Congenital Heart Clinic, Peter Lougheed Hospital, Room 1841, 3500 – 26 Avenue, NE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T1Y 6J4. Tel: 403-943-4507; Fax: 403-291-6814; E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background

The purpose was to examine the relationship between the complexity of structural heart disease and psychological well-being in adults with congenital cardiac disease.

Methods

A total of 380 patients registered at the Adult Congenital Heart Clinic in Calgary, Alberta, Canada were surveyed. The patients were mailed a socio-demographic questionnaire and an instrument to measure psychological well-being. The instrument of psychological well-being measures six dimensions: positive relations with others, autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. Of the 380 patients surveyed, 85 of 205 patients with simple structural malformation responded, giving a response rate of 41%, and 78 of 175 patients with complex malformations, thus giving a response of 45%.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in the mean scores of each of the six dimensions of psychological well-being between those patients with simple and complex malformations. Two-way analysis of variance, and multivariate analysis of variance, found significant differences in mean scores for dimensions when other socio-demographic variables were included in the analysis. For example, significantly higher mean scores for the dimension of purpose in life was found in patients who obtained a higher level of education (p = 0.009), and in patients who were employed (p < 0.001). We present the socio-demographic variables that statistically impact the mean scores for the dimension of psychological well-being.

Conclusion

Psychological well-being is not affected by the complexity of the structural congenital cardiac disease. Certain socio-demographic variables that impact psychological well-being, nonetheless, must be considered when developing multidisciplinary programmes to care for young adults with congenitally malformed hearts.

Keywords

Congenital cardiac diseaseadultsgrown-ups with congenital cardiac disease
Type
Original Article
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 18 , Issue 5 , October 2008 , pp. 494 - 501
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. World Health Organization. World Health Organization constitution. In: Basic Documents. Geneva: Author; 1948.Google Scholar
2. Definition retrieved February 15, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DiseaseGoogle Scholar
3. Horner, T, Liberthson, R, Jellinek, MS. Psychosocial profile of adults with complex congenital heart disease. Mayo Clin Proc 2000; 75: 31–36.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4. Jahoda, M. Current concepts of positive mental health. Basic Books, New York, 1958.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5. Popelová, J, Slavik, Z, Škovránek, J. Are cyanosed adults with congenital cardiac malformations depressed? Cardiol Young 2001; 11: 379–384.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6. Spurkland, I, Bjornstad, PG, Lindberg, H, Seem, E. Mental health and psychosocial functioning in adolescents with congenital heart disease. A comparison between adolescents born with severe heart defect and atrial septal defect. Acta Paediatr 1993; 76: 305–319.Google Scholar
7. Utens, EM, Versluis-Den Bieman, HJ, Verhulst, FC, Meijboom, FJ, Erdman, RA, Hess, J. Psychopathology in young adults with congenital heart disease. Follow-up results. Eur Heart J 1998; 19: 647–651.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8. Ryff, CD. Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. J Pers & Soc Psychol 1989; 57: 1069–1081.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9. Ryff, CD, Keyes, CLM. The structure of psychological well-being revisited. J Pers & Soc Psychol 1995; 69: 719–727.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10. Ryff, CD, Singer, B. Psychological well-being: meaning, measurement, and implications for psychotherapy research. Psychother & Psychosom 1996; 65: 14–23.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11. Warnes, CA, Liberthson, R, Danielson, GK, et al. 32nd Bethesda Conference. Task Force 1: The changing profile of congenital heart disease in adult life. J Am Coll Cardiol 2001; 37: 1162–1198.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12. Public Health Agency of Canada 2002. The social determinants of health: an overview of implications for policy and the role of the health sector. Retrieved 02/01/06 from http://www.phac_aspc.gc.caph-sp/phdd/overview-e.pdfGoogle Scholar
13. Wray, J, Sensky, T. Congenital heart disease and cardiac surgery in childhood: effects on cognitive function and academic ability. Heart 2001; 85: 687–691.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14. Stephens, T, Dulberg, C, Joubert, N. Mental health of the Canadian Population: a comprehensive analysis. Chronic Dis Can 2000; 20: 1–16. Retrieved November 25, 2004, from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/cdic-mcc/20-3/c_e/htmlGoogle Scholar
15. Health Canada 2001. Achieving health for all: A framework for health promotion. Retrieved 02/01/06, from http://www.sc.gc.ca/hcs_sss/pubs/care-soins/2001-frame-plan-promotion/index_e.htmlGoogle Scholar
16. Kokkonen, J, Paavilainen, T. Social adaptation of young adults with congenital heart disease. Int J Cardiol 1992; 36: 23–29.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17. Oates, RK, Simpson, JM, Turnbull, JA, Cartmill, TB. The relationship between intelligence and duration of circulatory arrest with deep hypothermia. Comment in: J Thorac & Cardiovasc Surg 1996; 110: 786–792.Google Scholar
18. Wernovsky, G, Stiles, KM, Gauvreau, K, et al. Cognitive development after the Fontan operation. Circulation 2000; 102: 883–889.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19. Landis, BJ. Uncertainty, spiritual well-being, and psychosocial adjustment to chronic illness. Issues Ment Health Nurs 1996; 17: 217–231.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20. Simko, LC, McGinnis, KA. Quality of life experienced by adults with congenital heart disease. AACN Clin Issues 2003; 14: 42–53.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21. Brandhagen, DJ, Feldt, RH, Williams, DE. Long-term psychological implications of congenital heart disease: 25-year follow-up. Mayo Clin Proc 1991; 66: 474–479.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22. Cox, D, Lewis, G, Stuart, G, Murphy, K. A cross-sectional study of the prevalence of psychopathology in adults with congenital heart disease. J Psychosom Res 2002; 52: 65–68.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23. Rose, M, Köhler, K, Köhler, F, Sawitzky, B, Fliege, H, Burghard, FK. Determinants of the quality of life of patients with congenital heart disease. Qual Life Res 2005; 14: 35–43.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24. New York Heart Association, Inc. Nomenclature and Criteria for Diagnoses of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, 5th Edn. Criteria Commina, H. Pardle, E. B. chairman. New York: American Heart Association, 1953.Google Scholar
25. Somerville, J. Congenital heart disease in the adolescent. Arch Dis Child 1989; 64: 771–773.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed