Illness-Related Parenting Stress and Maladjustment in Congenital Heart Disease: Mindfulness as a Moderator

Stress and Quality of Life in Parents of Children with Congenital Heart Disease: Exploring the Mediating and Moderating Effects of Coping Strategies

Parents of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) experience higher rates of stress compared with the general population, which adversely affects their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine coping strategies as mediators and moderators between perceived stress and HRQoL in parents of children with CHD. The effects of sociodemographic factors on perceived stress and HRQoL were also explored. Parents of children with CHD were recruited to participate from October 2023 to July 2024. Participants completed a self-report, online questionnaire containing the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Brief COPE, PedsQL Family Impact module, and the Protocol for Responding to and Assessing Patients Assets, Risks, and Experiences (PRAPARE). SPSS v27.2 and the PROCESS macro extension were used for analysis of mediator and moderator effects of coping strategies. Participants included 53 parents who met criteria and agreed to participate in the study. Parents with Medicaid and other non-private insurance types had higher PSS scores than parents with private insurance. Avoidant coping, self-blame, and behavioral disengagement were positively correlated with PSS and negatively correlated with HRQoL. Regression analysis indicated that coping strategies did not directly mediate the relationship between PSS and HRQoL. Problem-focused coping, active coping, emotional support, acceptance, and self-distraction moderated the effects of PSS on HRQoL. More research is needed to develop and test evidence-based coping interventions that reduce stress and improve HRQoL in parents of children with CHD.

Stress Coping Strategies in Parents of Newborns and Infants with Congenital Cyanotic Heart Disease with Regard to Stress Levels and Negative Emotions

BACKGROUND

Parents of children suffering from congenital heart disease experience high levels of stress and negative emotions. Therefore, recognition of parents' emotional states and their ways of coping with it is becoming more and more important.

METHODS

The study group consisted of 154 parents of newborns and infants with cyanotic congenital heart disease, before and after cardiac surgery (partial or full). To assess parental negative emotions, the level of stress, and strategies of coping with it, standardized questionnaires, such as HADS-M, PSS-10, and COPE, were used.

RESULTS

Stress levels in parents were high and associated with negative emotions (anxiety, depression, irritability), as well as the choice of non-constructive coping strategies, which was observed especially in younger parents.

CONCLUSIONS

Assessing parents' stress levels and ways of coping with stress can improve family functioning and provide better development conditions for the child.

Toxic Stress as a Potential Factor Inducing Negative Emotions in Parents of Newborns and Infants with Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

Parents who have a newborn with a congenital heart defect experience negative emotions, which may determine the emotional state of their children.

METHODS

The study group included 154 parents of newborns and infants with cyanotic congenital heart disease, before cardiac surgery and after the procedure. HADS m and PSS-10 questionnaires were used to assess parental anxiety, depression, aggression, and the level of stress.

RESULTS

High levels of depression, anxiety, total HADS and stress were diagnosed in a large group of parents, regardless of the stage of cardiac surgery treatment. A high level of stress was associated with a higher prevalence of emotional disturbance both in the total HADS (overall) and in all its individual domains. Anxiety and depression were more common in mothers. A high level of stress was a significant predictor of anxiety and depression in parents.

CONCLUSIONS

A high level of stress was a significant predictor of anxiety and depression in parents of infants with congenital heart disease. The parents' psychological condition is one of many potential determinants over the course of their child's treatment and recovery.

Sex Differences in Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Mindfulness Among Patients With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

An in-depth understanding of psychological symptoms and mindfulness of men and women with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may help develop sex-specific treatments and outcomes. This study aimed to examine differences in depression, anxiety, stress, and mindfulness between men and women undergoing PCI using a convenience sample of 114 participants (81 men and 33 women) with PCI at a university hospital in 2013. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales and the Korean version of the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale were administered. The depression, anxiety, and stress scores of women were higher than those of men, with no significant differences in mindfulness between the two sexes. The comparison of cutoff scores for severity (normal scores vs. ≥ mild) of depression, anxiety, and stress for men versus women revealed a higher proportion of women in the ≥ mild categories for the three components. Women who received PCI showed greater psychological distress than men. Therefore, awareness of these differences may alert cardiovascular nurses to employ systematic vigilance in assessing and mitigating this distress among cardiac patients, particularly women.

Factors Associated With Parenting Stress in Parents of Children With Nephrotic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

Limited empirical studies were identified to quantify parenting stress in parents of children with nephrotic syndrome (NS). This cross-sectional study aimed to address this gap by examining the prevalence and factors associated with parenting stress. Two hundred two Chinese parents of children with NS were investigated by using the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF), the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSCS), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and a demographic questionnaire. The results showed that parents of children with NS experienced higher parenting stress, and 67.8% of participants reported clinical levels of parenting stress. Fathers, parents with a primary education background, low social support and parenting sense of competence, and children with a prolonged treatment childhood NS reported higher parenting stress. Developing corresponding improvement interventions targeting parenting sense of competence, or providing extra disease-related support and education for parents might lessen parenting stress.

Coping self-efficacy and parenting stress in mothers of children with congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND

Mothers of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) experience high parenting stress that affects both mothers and children.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose was to examine the relationship between coping self-efficacy and parenting stress in mothers of children with CHD and to identify the factors related to parenting stress.

METHODS

Data were collected using a self-reporting questionnaire from 100 mothers whose children, aged 0 to 12, had been diagnosed with CHD. The Coping Self-Efficacy scale was used to measure coping self-efficacy, and Pediatric Inventory for Parents was used to measure the parenting stress. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to investigate the factors related to parenting stress.

RESULTS

Higher parenting stress was related to lower coping self-efficacy to obtain social support and having any other children.

CONCLUSION

Interventions that consider factors related to parenting stress and to enhance coping self-efficacy is required. Effective practice could be delivered by paying more attention to mothers with less supporters and those who have other dependent children.