Psychopathology in young adults with congenital heart disease. Follow-up results.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the occurrence of a wide range of behavioural and emotional problems long-term (> 9 years) after surgical correction for congenital heart disease in infancy and childhood. The problem scores on the Young Adult Self-Report of 166 19-25-year-old adults with congenital heart disease were compared with those of subjects of similar age from the general population. On most Young Adult Self-Report scales no differences were found between the mean problem scores of the congenital heart disease-adults and reference peers. On only two Young Adult Self-Report scales (i.e. Somatic Complaints and Strange) and the total problem score were significant though small differences found between the mean problem scores of the congenital heart disease adults and reference peers. No significant relationship was found between cardiac diagnosis and problem behaviours in congenital heart disease adults. No relationship was found between IQ scores and problem behaviours in congenital heart disease adults. Overall, it can be concluded that the results of the congenital heart disease adults were not unfavourable, since the differences in mean (total) problem scores between the congenital heart disease sample and reference group were small and limited to only two specific problem areas.