Abstract

With the advancement of medical procedures, heart transplantation has become a viable alternative for infants born with congenital or acquired heart disease. Although these children are thought to experience much improvement in their overall physical functioning post-transplantation, the long-term psychological functioning of these children and their families is currently unknown. This study examines the long-term family functioning and psychosocial development of infant heart transplant recipients in comparison to children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and non-clinical control children. Results indicate that infant heart transplant recipients and their families experience fewer overall problems as compared to the CHD group, and more closely resemble the non-clinical control group. This finding partially contradicts earlier theoretical and empirical research conducted with similar populations. Possible explanations for these results include self-selection bias, defensive responding in the heart transplant group, and methodological issues. It is also possible that after seven years children and families undergoing the transplant procedure have adjusted to the complications inherent in this type of medical procedure. Future research should focus on more direct methods of data collection and should further evaluate the role of depression, developmental stage, and transplant related variables within these children.

LLU Discipline

Clinical Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Kiti Freier

Second Advisor

Marti Baum

Third Advisor

Renae Larsen

Fourth Advisor

Matt Riggs

Fifth Advisor

Janet Sonne

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

1999

Date (Title Page)

12-1999

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Heart Transplantation -- in infancy & childhood -- psychology; Psychology, Clinical; Family Relations -- psychology; Psychology, Social.

Type

Thesis

Page Count

ix; 79

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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