RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To characterize the psychological well-being, everyday functioning, and autonomy of emerging adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) and explore how they relate to the executive function (EF) deficits commonly observed in this population. STUDY DESIGN: Questionnaires assessing psychological well-being (encompassing psychosocial functioning and resilience), EF, and age-appropriate indicators of everyday function and autonomy (eg, housing, education, employment, relationship status) were completed by participants with CHD (16-26 years) who underwent open-heart surgery during infancy and age- and sex-matched controls. RESULTS: A total of 58 emerging adults with CHD and 57 controls participated in this study. Mean scores on the resilience and psychosocial functioning questionnaires were not significantly different between CHD and control participants. Emerging adults with CHD also did not differ from controls in terms of holding a driver's license, involvement in a romantic relationship, or current employment status. Multiple linear regression identified that better EF was associated with better psychological well-being. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the need for systematic screening for EF deficits during adolescence and early adulthood to promote optimal well-being in this population. Further research is required to continue to document the everyday experiences of adolescents and young adults with CHD to identify protective factors associated with a successful and satisfying transition to adult life.
Assuntos
Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Cardíacos , Cardiopatias Congênitas , Adolescente , Adulto Jovem , Humanos , Adulto , Bem-Estar Psicológico , Cardiopatias Congênitas/complicações , Função ExecutivaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To compare cognitive, motor, behavioral, and functional outcomes of adolescents born with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and adolescents born preterm. STUDY DESIGN: Adolescents (11-19 years old) born with a CHD requiring open-heart surgery during infancy (n = 80) or born preterm ≤29 weeks of gestational age (n = 128) between 1991 and 1999 underwent a cross-sectional evaluation of cognitive (Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised), motor (Movement Assessment Battery for Children-II), behavioral (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), and functional (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-II) outcomes. Independent samples t tests and Pearson χ2 or Fisher exact tests were used to compare mean scores and proportions of impairment, respectively, between groups. RESULTS: Adolescents born with a CHD and adolescents born preterm had similar cognitive, motor, behavioral, and functional outcomes. Cognitive deficits were detected in 14.3% of adolescents born with a CHD and 11.8% of adolescents born preterm. Motor difficulties were detected in 43.5% of adolescents born with a CHD and 50% of adolescents born preterm. Behavioral problems were found in 23.7% of adolescents in the CHD group and 22.9% in the preterm group. Functional limitations were detected in 12% of adolescents born with a CHD and 7.3% of adolescents born preterm. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents born with a CHD or born preterm have similar profiles of developmental deficits. These findings highlight the importance of providing long-term surveillance to both populations and guide the provision of appropriate educational and rehabilitation services to better ameliorate long-term developmental difficulties.