Comparative Study of Psychological Distress and Coping in Parents of Children with and Without CHD

This study investigated the levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and coping strategies among parents of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) compared to parents of healthy children. Parenting a child with CHD often involves prolonged medical care, emotional uncertainty, and increased financial and psychological burdens, potentially impacting caregivers’ mental health. Using purposive sampling, a total of 100 participants (50 parents of children with CHD and 50 parents of healthy children) were surveyed using standardized psychological assessment tools: the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21, RRID: SCR₀19675) and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS, RRID: SCR₀22365). Statistical analyses, including independent samples t -tests and Pearson correlation coefficients, were conducted to examine group differences and relationships among variables. Results indicated significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among parents of children with CHD compared to the control group. Notably, mothers in the CHD group reported greater psychological distress than fathers. Emotion-oriented coping strategies were more frequently utilized by mothers and were significantly correlated with higher levels of depression and stress. These findings suggest that caregivers of children with CHD, especially mothers, experience heightened psychological vulnerability and may rely on coping mechanisms that are less adaptive in the long term. The study underscores the importance of early identification of at-risk parents and the development of targeted psychological support interventions to improve caregiver well-being and family functioning. Future research should consider longitudinal approaches to better understand the evolving psychological needs of CHD caregivers over time.