Psychosocial Adjustment amongAdolescents and Young Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Today, about 90% of the children which has born with CHD achieve adulthood. There has been a decrease in child mortality thanks to advances over the last four decades in diagnostic, surgical and catheter interventional techniques.As these childrensurvive, the interest in issues such as psychosocial outcomes has increased also(Freitas et al, 2013). Some qualitative studies conducted with adolescents and young adults with CHDpointed out some difficulties faced by these patients, such as: coping with the illness and physical limitations, social exclusion, discrimination and bullying, in addition to the challenge of normality, becoming independent, the uncertainty about the future and how to use coping strategies to develop self-esteem, among other dilemmas. Thus, health care to patients with congenital heart disease should include the care of their psychological and social needs as well as the physiological, as a means of improving their quality of life(Bertoletti, 2014). The percentage of adolescents and young adults with CHD who have emotional and behavioral problems is slightly greater than in the general population (Reid, 2010).

Aim of study: This aim of this study was to assess the Psychosocial Adjustment (PSA), among adolescents and young adults with congenital heart disease through: Identifying the psychosocial problems which facing them and assessing the psychosocial adjustment patterns among them. Research questions: The study is based on answering the following questions: 1. What are thepsychosocial problems facing youth with congenital heart disease?

2. What are thepsychosocial adjustment patterns among youth with congenital heart disease? Research setting: The study was conducted at Outpatient clinic in Cardiology Department - It is affiliated to Ain Shams University Hospitals. Subjects of study: The subjects included 63 patients (adolescents & young adults) with congenital heart defects. Both genders with age ranged from: 10yrs to less than 19yrs (adolescence) and 20yrs to fewer26yrs (young adults) and they have no severe cognitive impairment and free from other chronic medical or psychiatric disease. Tools of data collection: Data were collected using the following tools: 1- Interview Questionnaire: First part of interview questionnairewas designed by the researcher in simple Arabic language after reviewing related literature, the second and the third part was translated and developed by the researcher based on other tools. A- First part: Socio demographic characteristics: It includes data about patient such as: age, gender, educational level, marital statusand occupation, data about family such as: family number, income and parent's level of education and data about illness history. B- Second part: Psychosocial problems among patients with CHD: It assesses the psychosocial problems facing youth with CHD and shows the adjustment level. It includes 5 categories:Psychological problems include 12 items, Vocational & social environment includes 10 items, Domestic environment includes 4 items, Extended Family Relationships includes of 4 items, Emotional Relationshipsincludes 3 items.