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Objective:

To inform pediatric critical care practice by examining how mothers and fathers experience the stress of caring for a young child with congenital heart disease and use hospital and community supports.

Design:

Qualitative study of mothers and fathers of young children with congenital heart disease.

Setting:

Tertiary care pediatric hospital in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.

Subjects:

Thirty-four parents (20 mothers, 14 fathers) from diverse backgrounds whose child previously underwent cardiac surgery during infancy.

Interventions:

Subjects participated in semi-structured, individual interviews about their experiences and psychosocial needs at the time of congenital heart disease diagnosis, surgical admission, and discharge to home after surgery. Qualitative interview data were coded, and consistent themes related to emotional states, stressors, and supports were identified.

Measurements and Main …