Exploring daily life, psychosocial functioning, and spiritual coping of parents of children with CHD: a Slovak study.

INTRODUCTION

Advances in cardiology and cardiac surgery have significantly improved survival rates among children with CHD, but these gains come with the need for long-term care that heavily involves parents. Understanding their life situation is essential for delivering effective family-centred and holistic healthcare. The study aimed to assess the life situation of parents of children with CHD in relation to sociodemographic factors and to explore their sources of support, emotional experiences, and the role of spirituality in coping.

MATERIALS AND METHOD: A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 117 parents of children with CHD in the Slovak Republic. Data was collected between December 2024 and January 2025 using the standardised questionnaire Life Situation of Caregivers/Parents of Children with CHD and/or Other Cardiac Diseases.

RESULTS

Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that lower parental education and a history of cardiac surgeries in the child were associated with lower scores on the life situation scale. Conversely, a higher number of previous hospitalisations was linked to higher scores (p < 0.05). The most reported emotions related to the child's illness were fear (94.87%), sadness (67.52%), and anger (38.46%). Family members were identified as the primary source of support.

CONCLUSIONS

These results highlight the need to identify parents at heightened psychosocial risk, particularly those with lower education and those whose children have undergone cardiac surgeries. In clinical practice, family support should be supplemented with structured psychological interventions as part of comprehensive care for families of children with CHD.