Long-Term Effects of Child Early Surgical Ventricular Septal Defect Repair on Maternal Stress.

Gerlach J, Decker ES, Plank AC, Mestermann S, Purbojo A, Cesnjevar R, Kratz O, Eichler A (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Children MDPI

Book Volume: 10

Journal Issue: 12

DOI: 10.3390/children10121832

Abstract

The ventricular septal defect (VSD) represents the most common congenital heart defect (CHD). The diagnosis of and cardiac surgery for their child's VSD are highly stressful experiences for parents; especially mothers, who are at risk of developing long-lasting stress-related symptoms. This study examined long-term alterations in maternal stress including self-reported psychological and biophysiological stress levels in a case-control design. We investigated 24 mothers of children with an isolated, surgically corrected VSD compared to non-affected controls. Maternal self-reports on psychopathology, everyday stress, parenting stress and hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) were measured during children's primary school age (6-9 years, t1) and early adolescence (10-14 years, t2). In maternal self-reports, psychopathology and stress symptoms in the VSD-group and controls were comparable at t1, whereas at t2, mothers in the VSD-group even showed a decrease in psychopathology. Maternal HCC levels in the VSD-group were significantly lower (hypocortisolism) than HCC levels of controls at t1. This effect was no longer observed at t2 reflecting an approximation of HCC levels in the VSD-group to controls' levels. This study highlights the potential for improved stress hormone balance and psychological well-being in mothers following their child's surgical VSD repair. However, the need for parent-centered interventions is discussed, particularly during peri-operative phases and in early child developmental stages.

Authors with CRIS profile

Jennifer Gerlach Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Anne-Christine Plank Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Stefan Mestermann Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Ariawan Purbojo Department of Paediatric Cardiac Surgery Robert Cesnjevar Professur für Herzchirurgie mit dem Schwerpunkt Kinderherzchirurgie Oliver Kratz Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Anna Eichler Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health

How to cite

APA:

Gerlach, J., Decker, E.S., Plank, A.-C., Mestermann, S., Purbojo, A., Cesnjevar, R.,... Eichler, A. (2023). Long-Term Effects of Child Early Surgical Ventricular Septal Defect Repair on Maternal Stress. Children, 10(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/children10121832

MLA:

Gerlach, Jennifer, et al. "Long-Term Effects of Child Early Surgical Ventricular Septal Defect Repair on Maternal Stress." Children 10.12 (2023).

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