An IPA exploration of the experiences of mothers of infants with congenital heart disease who have undergone surgery in the first year of life: And Clinical Research Portfolio

Marscheider, Evelyn (2020) An IPA exploration of the experiences of mothers of infants with congenital heart disease who have undergone surgery in the first year of life: And Clinical Research Portfolio. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Background:
The term “congenital heart disease’ (CHD) refers to abnormalities of the heart that are present from birth, and typically require timely medical intervention. The unique stressors faced by mothers whose children have CHD can cause increased psychological distress, impact on quality of life and the capacity for optimal parenting. More research is needed into the lived experiences of mothers whose infants are diagnosed with CHD and undergo surgery to help understand their experiences and target interventions appropriately.

Aim:
To explore the lived experiences of mothers whose infants received an antenatal diagnosis of CHD and who had undergone surgery within the first year of life.

Method:
Individual interviews were conducted with 5 mothers to explore their lived experiences. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

Results:
One superordinate theme was developed to capture the mothers’ experiences overall: ‘A battle on multiple fronts’. 5 subthemes illustrated the mothers’ battles: The Trauma of the Battle – “Fighting an uphill battle”; The Fight for Survival – “Is it compatible with life?”; A Fight for Family-Centred Care – “A constant battle to be her parent”; Allies – “Everyone is on the same side”; and A Lonely Battle – “They are not there to help me”.

Conclusion:
Mothers described an inherent fight following an antenatal diagnosis of CHD, throughout which factors exacerbated or mitigated their sense of threat and conflict. Healthcare services need to create a sense of support and togetherness to reduce the experience of additional stressors in the mothers’ battle.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Congenital Heart Disease, qualitative, mother, experience, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: White, Dr Naomi
• Date of Award: 2020
• Depositing User: Mrs Evelyn Marscheider
• Unique ID: glathesis:2020-81337
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 06 May 2020 08:28
• Last Modified: 08 Sep 2022 16:31
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.81337
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/81337