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The Relationship Between Perceived Parenting Practices and Anxiety in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease
Cylia Houchi1, Marie-Joëlle Marcil1, Kishani Nadarajah2
1Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Background:
Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) and their parents face challenges throughout their lives that can lead to anxiety lasting into adulthood. We aim to assess the association between perceived parenting practices and anxiety beyond paediatric medical-surgical histories in adults with CHD.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study of adults with CHD was conducted at the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI). Perception of parental practices during childhood was retrospectively assessed with the use of validated self-report questionnaires, and anxiety in adulthood was assessed with the use of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Sociodemographic and medical information were collected from a questionnaire and medical records. Hierarchic multiple linear regression was conducted.
Results:
Of the 223 participants, the mean age was 46 ± 14 years and 59% were female. Perceived parenting practices explained more variance (11%) in the anxiety score than paediatric medical-surgical history (2%). In our final model, anxiety was significantly associated with age, parental history of anxiety, and positive parenting practices, but not with overprotection.
Conclusions:
Parenting practices are associated with anxiety in adults with CHD beyond paediatric medical-surgical history and sociodemographic. Positive parenting practices may be protective against anxiety in adulthood. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine causality.
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