Development of Psychological Independence in Adolescents with Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Remarkable advances in medical and surgical management have enabled many infants with congenital heart diseases (CHD) to survive into adulthood. We therefore have recently become more interested in the development of independence in adolescent CHD patients, and in how to support their independence. Ninety-two CHD patients (ages 12–29) and 273 reference participants (ages 12–29) were divided in 2 age groups (ages 12–18 and 18–29), and we compared their degree of psychological independence based on their responses to a questionnaire. Among patients ages 12–18, there were no significant differences by group (CHD vs. reference group), and males were generally more independent than females. On the other hand, among patients ages 18–29, males in the reference group were more independent than males in the CHD group; meanwhile, the sex difference of greater male independence only was only notable within the reference group. Apparently it is not the severity of the CHD but how one contracted the disease, which influenced adolescents' independence. Finally, we discuss how to support adolescents' independence based on the results of this study.