Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery
Vol.25 No.2 2009 (91-95)
Junko Enomoto
Faculty of Literature, Toyo University
Abstract
Background: As a result of medical advances, most children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are able to live to adulthood. This situation has created new issues in the social adaptation of young adults with CHD. The aim of this study was to examine the psychological aspects of adults with CHD (ACHD), especially women in the 20’s and 30’s.
Methods: The subjects were 19 ACHD patients (7 female and 12 male) and 45 control participants (26 female and 19 male). A self-perceived questionnaire composed of four scales was used: Independent-consciousness scale, Problem-solving Inventory (PSI), Locus of control scale and Self-esteem scale.
Results: In order to compare with the mean scores of the 4 scales, two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (ACHD · Control × sex) was utilized for each dimension. Results showed that females were higher in “Dependence on parents” than males. Then “Dependence on parents” was correlated with “Problem-solving confidence” only for females (ACHD) and “Independence” was correlated with “Problem-solving confidence” in other groups.
Conclusion: The results suggest that women with CHD establish their confidence under the care of parents rather than through self-reliance. Thus they may be immature in terms of independence. But from another point of view, it appears that they are able to make a more secure life as long as their parents support them.