Stress and Anxiety of Caregiver Complex Congenital heart disease prior to cardiac surgery at Queen Sirikit Heart Center of the Northeast

Abstract

This research is a descriptive study to investigate the levels of stress and anxiety among caregivers of pediatric patients with complex congenital heart disease during the pre-cardiac surgery period at the Sirikit Heart Center, Northeastern Thailand. The population consisted of caregivers of pediatric patients with complex congenital heart disease during the pre-cardiac surgery period, selected using purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria between December 2025and March 2026, totaling 48 individuals. Data were collected using a personal data record form, the Department of Mental Health's Stress Questionnaire (SPST-20), and the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory (SAI Form Y-1), with Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients of 0.7 and 0.89, respectively.

The results showed that the stress level of caregivers of pediatric patients with complex congenital heart disease during the pre-cardiac surgery period was moderate, accounting for 62.50% (Mean = 35.00, SD = 4.03). High levels of stress were also observed. 37.50% (Mean = 46.55, SD = 3.23) had low anxiety scores, 56.25% (Mean = 37.25, SD = 2.96) had moderate anxiety scores, and 43.75% (Mean = 47.42, SD = 4.43) had moderate anxiety scores. This study highlights the need for nurses to be more involved in nursing care, including family assessment, education, and ongoing support and psychological care programs for families to reduce stress and anxiety among caregivers, which in turn impacts patient care.