Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T10:22:52.035Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Decreases in anxiety associated with participation in a camp for children with cardiac defects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 October 2007

Laura E. Simons ,
Ronald L. Blount ,
Robert Campbell ,
Amanda Hubbard ,
Betsy Goodwin ,
Katie Devine  and
Megan Benoit
Laura E. Simons*
Affiliation:
Children’s Hospital Boston & Harvard Medical School, Boston
Ronald L. Blount
Affiliation:
University of Georgia, Athens
Robert Campbell
Affiliation:
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta & Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta
Amanda Hubbard
Affiliation:
North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension, Manteo, United States of America
Betsy Goodwin
Affiliation:
University of Georgia, Athens
Katie Devine
Affiliation:
University of Georgia, Athens
Megan Benoit
Affiliation:
University of Georgia, Athens
*
Correspondence to: Laura E. Simons, PhD, Pain Treatment Service, Children’s Hospital Boston, 333 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Tel: (617) 355 2473; Fax: (617) 730 0199; E-mail: Laura.Simons@childrens.harvard.edu
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The aim of our study was to examine psychosocial changes associated with participation in a camp for children with cardiac defects. We enrolled 29 children with cardiac defects aged from 8 to 18 years, along with their parents. Both the parents and the children completed measures of expectations for the camp and anxiety. Analyses of repeated measures indicated that levels of anxiety amongst the children decreased significantly at the end of camp when compared to its beginning. Levels of anxiety amongst the children were not statistically different at follow-up. Anxiety amongst the parents concerning the separation from their children also decreased at follow-up when compared to before the camp. Higher levels of anxiety reported by the children prior to the camp were associated with greater anxiety amongst the parents concerning the anticipated separation, more negative parental expectations of the camp, fewer experiences of separation from their children, and lower expectations by the children for the camping experience. Reductions in anxiety amongst the children following the camp were associated with negative parental expectations about the camping experience. The camping environment can provide a naturalistic exposure to new experiences for the child, and a successful separation for the parent, thereby promoting confidence amongst the parents in the ability of their children to function independently.

Keywords

Congenital cardiac diseasepaediatric therapeutic experienceschild distressparenting
Type
Original Article
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 17 , Issue 6 , December 2007 , pp. 631 - 637
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Bernstein, D. The cardiovascular system. In: Behrman, RE, Kliegman, RM, Arvin, AM (eds). Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 16th edn. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 2000, pp 1337–1455.Google Scholar
2. Ferencz, C, Loffredo, C, Correa-Villasenor, A, Wilson, P. Genetic and environmental risk factors of major cardiovascular malformations: The Baltimore-Washington infant study, 1981–1989. Futura Publishing Company, Amork, NY, 1997.Google Scholar
3. Casey, FA, Sykes, DH, Craig, BG, Power, R, Mulholland, HC. Behavioral adjustment of children with surgically palliated complex congenital heart disease. J Pediatr Psychol 1996; 21: 335–352.Google Scholar
4. Wray, J, Maynard, L. Living with congenital or acquired cardiac disease in childhood: maternal perceptions of the impact on the child and family. Cardiol Young 2005; 15: 133–140.Google Scholar
5. Green, M, Levitt, EE. Constriction of body image in children with congenital heart disease. Pediatrics 1962; 29: 438–441.Google Scholar
6. DeMaso, DR, Beardslee, WR, Silbert, AR, Fyler, DC. Psychological functioning in children with cyanotic heart defects. J Dev Behav Pediatr 1990; 11: 289–294.Google Scholar
7. Sparacino, PS, Tong, EM, Messias, DK, Foote, D, Chesla, CA, Gilliss, CL. The dilemmas of parents of adolescents and young adults with congenital heart disease. Heart Lung 1997; 26: 187–195.Google Scholar
8. Gupta, S, Mitchell, I, Giuffre, RM, Crawford, S. Covert fears and anxiety in asthma and congenital heart disease. Child Care Health Dev 2001; 27: 335–348.Google Scholar
9. Kramer, HH, Awiszus, D, Sterzel, U, van Halteren, A, Classen, R. Development of personality and intelligence in children with congenital heart disease. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 1989; 30: 299–308.Google Scholar
10. Spurkland, I, Bjornstad, PG, Lindberg, H, Seem, E. Mental health and psychosocial functioning in adolescents with congenital heart disease. A comparison between adolescents born with severe heart defect and atrial septal defect. Acta Paediatr 1993; 82: 71–76.Google Scholar
11. Meltzer, LJ, Rourke, MT. Oncology summer camp: benefits of social comparison. Children’s Health Care 2005; 34: 305–314.Google Scholar
12. Wellisch, DK, Crater, B, Wiley, FM, Belin, TR, Weinstein, K. Psychosocial impacts of a camping experience for children with cancer and their siblings. Psychooncology 2006; 15: 56–65.Google Scholar
13. American Camping Association. Accreditation Standards for Camp Programs and Services. American Camping Association, Martinsville, IN, 1998, 255.Google Scholar
14. Smith, KE, Gotlieb, S, Gurwitch, RH, Blotcky, AD. Impact of a summer camp experience on daily activity and family interactions among children with cancer. J Pediatr Psychol 1987; 12: 533–542.Google Scholar
15. Swenson, T. A dose of Camp Dost: Meeting the psychosocial needs of children with cancer. Issues Compr Pediatr Nurs 1988; 11: 29–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16. Briery, BG, Rabian, B. Psychosocial changes associated with participation in a pediatric summer camp. J Pediatr Psychol 1999; 24: 183–190.Google Scholar
17. Creer, TL. Asthma. J Consult Clin Psychol 1982; 50: 912–921.Google Scholar
18. Shepanski, MA, Hurd, LB, Culton, K, Markowitz, JE, Mamula, P, Baldassano, RN. Health-related quality of life improves in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease after attending a camp sponsored by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2005; 11: 164–170.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19. Moons, P, Barrea, C, De Wolf, D, et al. . Changes in perceived health of children with congenital heart disease after attending a special sports camp. Pediatr Cardiol 2006; 27: 67–72.Google Scholar
20. Primack, WA, Greifer, I. Summer camp hemodialysis for children with chronic renal failure. Pediatrics 1977; 60: 46–50.Google Scholar
21. Meltzer, LJ, Johnson, SB. Summer camps for chronically ill children: a source of respite care for mothers. Children’s Health Care 2004; 33: 317–331.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
22. Thurber, CA, Sigman, MD. Homesickness in preadolescent and adolescent girls: risk factors, behavioral correlates. J Clin Child Psychol 1999; 28: 185–196.Google Scholar
23. Thurber, CA. The phenomenology of homesickness in boys. J Abnorm Child Psychol 1999; 27: 125–139.Google Scholar
24. Thurber, CA, Sigman, MD. Preliminary models of risk and protective factors for childhood homesickness: review and empirical synthesis. Child Dev 1998; 69: 903–934.Google Scholar
25. Punnett, AF, Thurber, S. Evaluation of the asthma camp experience for children. J Asthma 1993; 30: 195–198.Google Scholar
26. Reynolds, CR, Richmond, BO. Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS) manual. Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services 1985.Google Scholar
27. Myers, K, Winters, NC. Ten-year review of rating scales. II: Scales for internalizing disorders. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2002; 41: 634–659.Google Scholar