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Quality of life and psychosocial functioning of children with cardiac arrhythmias

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 April 2012

Elizabeth R. Pulgaron ,
Diana Wile ,
Kerri Schneider ,
Ming-Lon Young  and
Alan M. Delamater
Elizabeth R. Pulgaron*
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
Diana Wile
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
Kerri Schneider
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
Ming-Lon Young
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
Alan M. Delamater
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
*
Correspondence to: Dr E. R. Pulgaron, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Clinical Psychology, PO Box 016820 (D-820), Miami, Florida 33101, United States of America. Tel: +1 305 243 4554; Fax: +1 605 243 4512; E-mail: epulgaron@med.miami.edu
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Abstract

Childhood cardiac arrhythmias may have a long-lasting impact on a family and typically require long-term medical follow-up. Whereas some arrhythmias are benign, others can be life threatening and require significant medical care. As with many chronic illnesses, it is important to study the potential psychosocial effects of childhood arrhythmias and how they may impact a child's quality of life. The purpose of this study was to create a quality of life measure specific to childhood arrhythmias and to describe the current psychosocial functioning of this population. A total of 46 families participated in a one-time paper and pencil assessment during their regularly scheduled clinic visits. Results indicated promise for the validity and reliability of this new measure. Children in the current sample also demonstrated a high degree of resiliency. Additional analyses with larger samples will be needed to verify the psychometric properties of this measure. Overall, the high functioning of many of these children despite medical trauma is promising. Future studies should consider using some screening measures to decide which children may be most in need of intervention.

Keywords

Quality of lifechildrenpsychosocial functioningcardiacarrhythmias
Type
Original Article
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 23 , Issue 1 , February 2013 , pp. 82 - 88
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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