The psychosocial themes of children with a congenital heart defect. Issue 3 (2nd September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van der Watt, Ronél; Pheiffer, Carina; Brown, Stephen
• Is Part Of: Journal of child and adolescent mental health. Volume 29:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 231
• Page End: 244
• Publication Date: 2017-09-02
• Subjects: Child psychiatry -- Periodicals; Adolescent psychiatry -- Periodicals; Child psychiatry -- South Africa -- Periodicals; Adolescent psychiatry -- South Africa -- Periodicals; Mental health promotion -- Periodicals; 618.9289
• DOI: 10.2989/17280583.2017.1405815
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1728-0583

Abstract

Abstract : Children living with a congenital heart defect (CHD) carry the burden of a condition affecting their biological, psychological, and social functioning. Even though the physical heartbeats of these children might be inaudible and defective, their intra- and inter-personal 'stories in sound' need to be heard and understood. The aim of this research study was to explore these 'stories in sound' in children diagnosed with CHD. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study using thematic analysis was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six boys and three girls between the ages of eight and fourteen years, who were diagnosed with CHD. The developmental psychopathology model (DPM) served as a conceptual framework. Five main themes emerged and were related to (i) the participants' understanding of their cardiac diagnoses; (ii) the participants' perceptions regarding their post-operative cardiac statuses; (iii) the participants' psychological experiences related to their cardiac statuses; (iv) the effects of living with CHD on their social functioning; and (v) a unique relationship to their chronic cardiac condition. Within each of these themes, thirteen subthemes were identified. The article concludes that an age-appropriate understanding of CHD and post-operative cardiac status is important, as children's perceptions have implications for their psychosocial experiences and acceptance of living with CHD. These children need comprehensive support from health care professionals.