Patterns of Emotional Behavioral Issues in Different Types of Congenital Heart Disease among Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Objective To determine the pattern of Emotional Behavioral issues in Children and Adolescents with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) in Pakistan

Study Design: Comparative group design was used to study variables

Place and Duration: Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology, April 2021 to November 2021

Methodology: A sample of 300 children and adolescents diagnosed with cyanotic and cyanotic CHD was studied to assess the prevalent emotional behavioral problems in different patterns of CHD. The strength and difficulty questionnaire was used to measure the emotional behavioral issues. Parent-reported form for children below 7 years of age and self-report for above 7 years was used. Detailed history and demographics were taken.

Results: The results explained that 65% of the CHD population is in the clinical range of emotional behavioral issues. The comparison of gender mean difference shows that male CHD population as compared to females(p<.05). Whereas no difference was found in internalizing problems in both genders while males have more externalizing issues and females are better in prosocial behavior as compared to male counterparts. Children and adolescents with cyanotic CHD have more clinical range of emotional and behavioral issues(p<.01).

Conclusion: Children and adolescents now have a long life as compared to previous decades but with this growing age and having a congenital condition they are having problems in their psychological health which is in need of assessment and repair.