Recovery from Anguish and Attachment Formation among Mothers of Infants with Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

　This study aimed to elucidate the psychological characteristics that lead to increased awareness based on health-related theories and attachment formation among mothers of children with congenital heart disease. The findings will aid in the development of appropriate nursing interventions designed to help them in coping with maternal anguish. In this study, we conducted semi-structured interviews of five such mothers. Recurring themes of the interviews related to the progress of these five cases included aspects such as “confusion and chaos upon learning about the diagnosis,” “happiness in meeting oneʼs child,” “turmoil over surgery” and “emerging from the crisis and moving forward.” Overall, mother-child attachment evolved from remorse, doubt in decision-making about treatment, anxiety about the future, manifestations of attachment, and finally, a sense of happiness. This attachment was already formed at the critical stage immediately after birth, which differed from the hypothetical model of Drotar. From this, itʼs suggested that itʼs necessary for nursing professionals to intervene by being there for the psychological anguish of mothers when they learn of their childʼs congenital heart disease, and support their psychological maturation.