The following is a summary of “Resilient Hearts: Measuring Resiliency in Young People With Congenital Heart Disease,” published in the October 2023 issue of Cardiology by Glenn et al.
Congenital heart disease (CHD) presents enduring challenges impacting both physical and mental health over a lifetime. Individuals with CHD encounter multifaceted obstacles of a physical and psychosocial nature. The role of resilience, a significant protective factor influencing mental well-being, was investigated in adolescents and young adults with and without CHD, employing a social media-based survey. Resilience levels were assessed using the 25-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, a validated measure with a historical mean of 80.4/100 in the general adult population.
Prospective recruitment of individuals aged 10 to 25 years, both with and without CHD, was conducted through a social media-driven online survey between January and February 2022. Survey respondents provided demographic details and CHD-specific information (if applicable) and completed the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. In the analysis, the CHD group demonstrated higher resilience scores than their healthy counterparts of similar age (65.3±16.1 versus 55.4±13.8; P<0.001). In both cohorts, factors such as sex, race, and age did not exhibit associations with differences in resilience scores. Among individuals with CHD, diminished resilience correlated with increased hospital admissions, a lack of physical exercise, the presence of a mental health diagnosis, and non-engagement in support groups or condition-specific camps.
The study identified that young individuals with CHD displayed greater resilience compared to those without CHD in this surveyed sample. Moreover, various modifiable and unmodifiable factors were linked to higher resilience in individuals with CHD. Recognizing the role of resilience and its contributing elements among the CHD population could significantly aid healthcare teams in enhancing patients’ physical and psychological well-being.
Source: ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.123.029847
