MITRAL-VALVE PROLAPSE AND SYMPTOMS OF NEGATIVE AFFECTIVITY IN ADOLESCENTS

A potential association between mitral valve prolapse and symptoms of fear, anxiety, and depression in children and adolescents has not been well-documented despite the prevalence of this cardiac condition and a demonstrated linkage of these variables in adults. To preliminarily address this situation, we compared adolescents with mitral valve prol apse, a control group of adolescents with another cardiac condition, a nd normative values for the dependent measures used in this study. Res ults indicated that youngsters aware of having mitral valve prolapse r ated themselves as significantly more anxious and depressed than young sters in the control group and normative values. The implications of t his study for future research are discussed.