Stress and coping among parents of children awaiting cardiac transplantation

Psychosocial support during the waiting period for pediatric transplant recipients and their families is vital. This study describes the stress levels and coping techniques among parents of children awaiting cardiac transplant. Twenty-six parents of 18 children demonstrated a range of stress with 77% scoring at a moderate stress level. They perceived transplantation neutrally and used a similar number of coping mechanisms as did a normative group of adults. Use of coping mechanisms significantly decreased over the 3-month study period. A moderate correlation between a negative perception of transplantation and parental stress was found. Parents of girls viewed transplant more negatively than did boys' parents. This study provides a beginning for assisting families during the waiting period.