Relationship Between Types of Social Support, Coping Strategies, and Psychological Distress in Individuals Living With Congenital Heart Disease

Background: Many people with congenital heart disease (CHD) experience psychological distress related to medical complications and psychosocial issues related to the disease. Although studies show that social support and coping strategies are closely associated with psychological distress in people struggling with different chronic health challenges, very little is known about whether the same factors hold true for the psychological distress of people living with CHD. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between types of social support, coping strategies, and psychological distress for individuals living with CHD. Design: A cross-sectional survey design with self-report questionnaires was used. Method: A convenience sample of 272 participants was obtained from the Adult Congenital Heart Disease program at a tertiary care hospital in Western Canada. Structural equation modeling was conducted to examine hypothesized relationships among study variables. Results: Perceived social support was directly related to both anxiety and depression. Received social support influenced anxiety and depression, but its effect was through perceived social support. Wishful-thinking coping strategies mediated the relationships between perceived social support and both anxiety and depression. Conclusion: Individuals with CHD who have low perceived and received social support are vulnerable to experiences of psychological distress. Assessments of social support and facilitation of positive coping strategies are integral to nursing care for adults with CHD.