PSYCHOPATHOLOGY IN YOUNG-ADULTS WITH CONGENITAL HEART-DISEASE - FOLLOW-UP RESULTS

Aims The aim of the present study was to assess the occurrence of a wi de range of behavioural and emotional problems long-term (>9 years) af ter surgical correction for congenital heart disease in infancy and ch ildhood. Methods The problem scores on the Young Adult Self-Report of 166 19-25-year-old adults with congenital heart disease were compared with those of subjects of similar age from the general population. Res ults On most Young Adult Self-Report scales no differences were found between the mean problem scores of the congenital heart disease-adults and reference peers. On only two Young Adult Self-Report scales (i.e. Somatic Complaints and Strange) and the total problem score were sign ificant though small differences found between the mean problem scores of the congenital heart disease adults and reference peers. No signif icant relationship was found between cardiac diagnosis and problem beh aviours in congenital heart disease adults. No relationship was found between IQ scores and problem behaviours in congenital heart disease a dults. Conclusion Overall, it can be concluded that the results of the congenital heart disease adults were not unfavourable, since the diff erences in mean (total) problem scores between the congenital heart di sease sample and reference group were small and limited to only two sp ecific problem areas.