Determinants of life situation, stress, coping resilience, and life satisfaction among parents of children with arrhythmia – a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction and Objective. In some cases, there is a need to hospitalize a child for diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, resulting in expected changes in family functioning, often making it impossible to carry out the current family and professional plans of the child’s parents/caregivers. The aim of the study was to examine the life situation of parents of children with cardiac arrhythmias in relation to the incidence of stress, the role of spirituality, life satisfaction, coping resilience, and to selected socio-demographic factors. Materials and Method. The study included 101 parents of children with heart arhythm and conduction disorders who were diagnosed and treated at a Clinical Centre. The survey used the Life Situation Assessment Questionnaire for Parents, Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Brief Resilient Coping Scale. Results. Analysis showed that the personal functioning of the parents was good (p=0.002), while the impact of spirituality on life functioning was medium (p=0.010). The level of general life situation, level of life satisfaction and level of perceived stress, were significantly high (p=0.001;p=0.001; p=0.004). More stress was felt by mothers than fathers (p=0.023) and parents with higher education (p=0.047), as well as those who practice religion (p=0.008). Parents who were in a relationship felt better life satisfaction (p=0.004), and the living situation of rural residents was statistically significantly better than urban residents (p=0.024). Conclusions. Understanding the life situation and emotions of parents of children with cardiac arrhythmia will help health care providers offer sufficient support.