Relationships among depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation in parents of children with congenital heart defects: A dynamic triad

Abstract

BACKGROUND There is a possible link between depression and anxiety about suicidal ideation among parents of children with congenital heart disease (CHD). AIM To document the effects of depression and anxiety on parental suicidal ideation among children with CHD and the associated factors. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study among 50 parents of children with CHD who attended the Cardiac Clinic of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla. Information was obtained using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS A greater percentage of parents whose child had a heart defect had anxiety symptoms (50.0%) than did those whose child had no heart defect (24.0%), and the difference in proportions was statistically significant (χ 2 = 7.250, P = 0.007). A greater percentage of parents whose child had a heart defect had suicidal ideation (28.0%) than did those whose child had no heart defect (8.0%), and the difference in proportions was statistically significant (χ 2 = 6.775 P = 0.009). A positive correlation was elicited between anxiety and suicide ideation, and this correlation was statistically significant (r = 0.748, P < 0.001). A positive correlation was elicited between depression and suicidal ideation scores, and this was statistically significant (r = 0.617, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION There is strong interconnectivity between anxiety and depression with suicidal ideation. There is an urgent need to start screening for the mental health of parents of children with CHD to avert the high propensity of complete suicide. In addition, policy makers may introduce a national clinical practice guideline on the importance of psychotherapy and mental health screening and targeted interventions for parents of children with CHD.