Fathers of Children With Congenital Heart Disease: Sources of Stress and Opportunities for Intervention

Hoffman, Michael F.; Karpyn, Allison; Christofferson, Jennifer; Neely, Trent; McWhorter, Linda; Demianczyk, Abigail C; James, Richard; Hafer, Jason; Kazak, Anne E.; Sood, Erica

doi:10.1097/pcc.0000000000002388

Cited by 25 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 33 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A prior evaluation of this cohort found that both mothers and fathers of children with CHD desire formalized peer support during and after hospitalization even when they did not receive it themselves (Gramszlo et al, 2020). In addition, fathers describe unique sources of stress, highlighting a lack of formal and informal opportunities for social support for fathers as one such stressor (Hoffman et al, 2020). A recent meta‐analysis examining published mental health interventions for parents of infants with CHD noted that only two studies recruited fathers for the intervention, whereas only one of these studies included paternal outcome data (Kasparian et al, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coping strategies used by mothers and fathers following diagnosis of congenital heart disease

Demianczyk

Driscoll

Karpyn

et al. 2021

Child

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Parents of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) exhibit high rates of mental health difficulties, which can influence child developmental and behavioural outcomes. While extensive research has focused on CHD-related stressors that contribute to parental mental health difficulties, few studies have investigated parental coping strategies that may mitigate or heighten risk. This study aimed to identify parental coping strategies following diagnosis of CHD and compare use of coping strategies among different groups (mothers vs. fathers; prenatal vs. postnatal diagnosis).Methods: A diverse sample of 34 parents (20 mothers and 14 fathers) of young children with CHD participated in semistructured interviews focused on their responses to CHD-related stressors. Coping strategies were identified from qualitative data and categorized according to the COPE Inventory, an instrument that assesses common adult responses to stress. Coping strategies deemed as unique to parenting a critically ill child were identified. χ 2 and independent sample t tests evaluated group differences.Results: Parents described using between 1 and 10 different adaptive and maladaptive strategies measured by the COPE Inventory. Most parents (82.35%) also described coping strategies that may be unique to parenting a critically ill child.Mothers were more likely than fathers to report a focus on and venting of emotions (70% vs. 21.43%) and behavioural disengagement (25% vs. 0%). Compared with parents receiving a postnatal CHD diagnosis, those receiving a prenatal diagnosis described a greater variety of coping strategies (6.23 vs. 4.52) and more often reported positive reinterpretation and growth (69.23% vs. 14.29%), behavioural disengagement (38.46% vs. 0%) and denial (38.46% vs. 0%).Conclusions: Parents of children with CHD utilize a variety of coping strategies, some of which are maladaptive. Interventions tailored to the needs of mothers and fathers of young children with CHD, including those receiving a postnatal diagnosis, are needed to promote adaptive coping and optimize family psychosocial outcomes.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coping strategies used by mothers and fathers following diagnosis of congenital heart disease

Demianczyk

Driscoll

Karpyn

et al. 2021

Child

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…23,24 As families brace for the impact of congenital heart disease, both mothers and fathers are psychologically affected at the onset of the fetal diagnosis to post cardiac programmes. 14,17,18,25 Further, the amount of stress significantly increases with this diagnosis, and parents report greater stress, anxiety, trauma, and depression relative to the general population. 20,21,26,27 Research has demonstrated the efficacy of psychological interventions implemented during pregnancy in reducing maternal anxiety, depression, and stress, 19,[28][29][30] but very few trials have included pregnant women receiving fetal cardiac diagnoses 31 even though studies assessing prenatal counselling and pre-surgery education have supported a reduction in parental anxiety.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Second, our sample only included mothers, not fathers nor same-sex partners, which will be important for future studies to consider as past studies have demonstrated fathers too experience significant distress and emotional strain during this vulnerable time. 25,37 Third, our sample included more mothers with a child diagnosed with congenital heart disease than pregnant mothers. This is an important factor to consider given information regarding emotions, coping mechanisms, and thoughts at time of pregnancy were provided to us retrospectively.…”

Section: Themementioning

confidence: 99%

“The Mental Health Piece is Huge”: perspectives on developing a prenatal maternal psychological intervention for congenital heart disease

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives: Women carrying a fetus diagnosed with congenital heart disease often experience significant distress because of their medical diagnosis. Given the well-documented impact associated with elevated prenatal stress and critical importance of developing targeted interventions, this study aims to examine stressors, coping and resilience resources, and mental health treatment preferences in pregnant women receiving a congenital heart disease diagnosis to inform the development of a psychological intervention to reduce maternal distress prenatally. Methods: Three groups of participants were included consisting of two pregnant women carrying a fetus with congenital heart disease, five women of children (4−16 months) with congenital heart disease, and five paediatric cardiology medical providers. Responses were gathered via semi-structured interviews and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. Results: Information regarding four broad areas were analysed of emotional distress during pregnancy; experience of initial diagnosis; coping and resilience; and perspectives on a mental health intervention in pregnancy. Anxiety regarding baby’s future, guilt following diagnosis, and various coping strategies emerged as primary themes among the participant sample. Medical staff corroborated mothers’ heightened anxiety and viewed a psychotherapeutic intervention during the prenatal period as essential and complimentary to standard of care. Conclusion: We identified salient themes and preferred components for a future psychological intervention delivered prenatally. Practice Implications: Patients’ and providers’ perspectives regarding the nature of maternal distress, resilience and treatment preferences can inform the development of interventions to support the emotional well-being of pregnant women carrying a fetus with congenital heart disease to optimise care and potentially improve outcomes for fetal brain development.

show abstract

“…Parents can be supported to help strengthen core life skills including parenting, self-regulation, and executive function [ 163 ]. Elucidating sources of stress for parents and children including stressors at home, e.g., finances, food security, and domestic violence, can help inform strategies to reduce stress and improve coping [ 164 , 165 , 166 ].…”

Section: Embracing Neuroscience In the Picumentioning

confidence: 99%

Brain-Directed Care: Why Neuroscience Principles Direct PICU Management beyond the ABCs

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Major advances in pediatric intensive care (PICU) have led to increased child survival. However, the long-term outcomes among these children following PICU discharge are a concern. Most children admitted to PICU are under five years of age, and the stressors of critical illness and necessary interventions can affect their ability to meet crucial developmental milestones. Understanding the neuroscience of brain development and vulnerability can inform PICU clinicians of new ways to enhance and support the care of these most vulnerable children and families. This review paper first explores the evidence-based neuroscience principles of brain development and vulnerability and the impact of illness and care on children’s brains and ultimately wellbeing. Implications for clinical practice and training are further discussed to help optimize brain health in children who are experiencing and surviving a critical illness or injury.

show abstract

Fathers of Children With Congenital Heart Disease: Sources of Stress and Opportunities for Intervention

Cited by 25 publications

References 33 publications

Coping strategies used by mothers and fathers following diagnosis of congenital heart disease

Coping strategies used by mothers and fathers following diagnosis of congenital heart disease

“The Mental Health Piece is Huge”: perspectives on developing a prenatal maternal psychological intervention for congenital heart disease

Brain-Directed Care: Why Neuroscience Principles Direct PICU Management beyond the ABCs

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About