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Psychology

Theses/Dissertations

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Long QT Syndrome

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Long-Term Use Of Beta-Blocker Medication In Pediatric Long Qt Syndrome Patients: Neuropsychological Profiles, Kara J. Rudisill Jan 2019

Long-Term Use Of Beta-Blocker Medication In Pediatric Long Qt Syndrome Patients: Neuropsychological Profiles, Kara J. Rudisill

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a heart rhythm disorder characterized by a disruption of the heart’s electrical activity that may cause accelerated and uncontrolled heartbeats referred to as ventricular fibrillation. LQTS is primarily treated with beta-blocker medications, which reduce the risk of experiencing an arrhythmia through regulating the heart rate. However, the potential neuropsychological side-effects associated with the use of beta-blocker medication may impact the executive functioning skills, mental health, and behavior of the affected pediatric population at home. As a result, a child’s academic performance and emotional regulation etiology may be misunderstood by his or her parents, caregivers, and …


Examination Of Adherence, The Quality Of The Physician/Patient Relationship, And Illness-Related Beliefs Among Adults With Long Qt Syndrome, Maggie Monk Jan 2016

Examination Of Adherence, The Quality Of The Physician/Patient Relationship, And Illness-Related Beliefs Among Adults With Long Qt Syndrome, Maggie Monk

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is a cardiac arrhythmia disorder that affects 1 in 2,000 individuals and is a precursor to various cardiac events, including sudden cardiac arrest (Schwartz et al., 2016). As a precaution, individuals with all types of LQTS have been advised to modify their lifestyles to avoid triggers, including limiting physical activity (PA). Nonadherence to treatment recommendations could result in devastating outcomes. The purpose of the study was to explore characteristics pertaining to adherence and nonadherence to PA recommendations, including the quality of the physician/patient relationship and illness beliefs among adults with LQTS. An Internet survey was completed …


Relationship Satisfaction And Family Functioning: Mothers Of Children With Lqts Versus A Control Group, Karen Gentis Jan 2016

Relationship Satisfaction And Family Functioning: Mothers Of Children With Lqts Versus A Control Group, Karen Gentis

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Long QT syndrome is a condition that occurs as a result of a disturbance in the electrical function of the heart, and is a chronic illness that carries a high risk of sudden death. It is estimated that close to 1 in 2,000 individuals in the general population will be diagnosed with LQTS. Given the potential lethality of LQTS, and the numerous restrictions and life changes that individuals diagnosed with LQTS and their families must make, it is surprising that few studies have been conducted to evaluate psychosocial needs of people who have LQTS. Research has examined how children diagnosed …


Fathers Of Children With Long Qt Syndrome: Their Concerns And Ways Of Coping, Jodi Yarnell Jan 2016

Fathers Of Children With Long Qt Syndrome: Their Concerns And Ways Of Coping, Jodi Yarnell

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a genetic disorder of the heart that may result in syncope, seizures, and sometimes sudden cardiac death. The wide-ranging clinical presentation of LQTS can lead to fear and uncertainty in families of children diagnosed with LQTS, while treatment and lifestyle modifications can significantly reduce the level of risk. Despite the far-reaching implications of this syndrome on the lives of children and families, very little is known about the psychosocial aspects of having a child with this syndrome. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the experiences of fathers of children with LQTS …


Lqts: Gender Differences And Mother-Son Vs. Mother-Daughter, Thea Gallagher Jan 2014

Lqts: Gender Differences And Mother-Son Vs. Mother-Daughter, Thea Gallagher

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Long QT syndrome is a chronic disorder, and one of the most common genetic arrhythmia syndromes that can cause unexpected cardiac arrest and death in individuals. Treatment options include medications, use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) and restricting activities of daily life. Minimal research exists exploring the specific psychosocial aspects of the illness and/or the impact on the quality of life of individuals and families coping with the management and diagnosis of this illness. Furthermore, little research has attempted to understand the role of gender differences and mother-child perceptions among individuals with Long QT syndrome. The current study used data …


Examination Of Physician Decision Making With Children And Adolescents Diagnosed With Long Qt Syndrome: A Qualitative Study, Julie Radico Jan 2013

Examination Of Physician Decision Making With Children And Adolescents Diagnosed With Long Qt Syndrome: A Qualitative Study, Julie Radico

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Physicians are faced with ongoing challenges in diagnosing long QT syndrome (LQTS) and the uncertainty regarding treatment for specific genotypes and prescription of restrictions regarding physical activity. This study explored what impacts physicians’ decision making with regard to treatment and recommendations for children and adolescents with LQTS. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with pediatric cardiologists who were currently treating this population. Several themes regarding physician decision making were identified: constant reevaluation of decisions, impact of years of experience/number of LQTS patients treated, differentiating from versus joining with other physicians, variations in recommending patient sports involvement and activity level, and physicians as …


Parents' Coping With Children's Newly Diagnosed Long-Qt Syndrome: A Qualitative Study Of The Function And Utilization Of An Online User Group, Allison Burns-Pentecost Jan 2013

Parents' Coping With Children's Newly Diagnosed Long-Qt Syndrome: A Qualitative Study Of The Function And Utilization Of An Online User Group, Allison Burns-Pentecost

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Long QT syndrome is a sudden death syndrome that occurs in about 1 in 2,000 births. LQTS is caused by genetic mutations that affect the electrophysiology of the heart, resulting in a prolonged QT interval and possible cardiac arrhythmia, syncope or sudden death. Treatments include medications, implantable cardioverter defibrillators and activity restrictions. Little research exists regarding the psychosocial factors of the illness or the ways in which families cope with diagnosis and management of the chronic illness. The current study used archival data from an online user group. Participants were members of the group who discussed concerns related to LQTS. …


Attention To Psychosocial Concerns Related To Lqts: A Survey Of Medical Providers, Elizabeth Conlin Jan 2012

Attention To Psychosocial Concerns Related To Lqts: A Survey Of Medical Providers, Elizabeth Conlin

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is a heritable condition characterized by syncopal episodes, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death in otherwise healthy individuals. Current research, although underrepresented, on the quality of life and psychosocial stressors indicate that some individuals experience depression and anxiety as a result of this chronic medical illness. A survey was created and administered to cardiologists and allied professionals, who offer medical services to LQTS patients, and belong to the Pediatric Arrhythmia and Congenital Electrophysiology Society (PACES). A Likert scale survey was developed for selfadministration and posted in an email for PACES members to complete voluntarily. This survey study …


The Experience Of Grief And Loss In Persons Affected By Long Qt Syndrome, David Haynes-Weller Jan 2011

The Experience Of Grief And Loss In Persons Affected By Long Qt Syndrome, David Haynes-Weller

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

No abstract provided.


Anxiety In Individuals Affected By Long Qt Syndrome As Experienced By Members Of An Online User Group, Abigail Janney Jan 2011

Anxiety In Individuals Affected By Long Qt Syndrome As Experienced By Members Of An Online User Group, Abigail Janney

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is a cardiac condition that affects approximately 1 in 2,500 persons. This condition has been vastly understudied with regard to psychosocial aspects. LQTS patients have the potential for experiencing life threatening cardiac events and prevention requires significant lifestyle modifications. Although there has not been a significant amount of research on this specific syndrome, other research on chronic illnesses suggests that many individuals experience significant psychosocial aspects after diagnosis. This study specifically examined anxiety within the LQTS population through a qualitative research design. An archived database from a LQTS user group involving approximately 780 members was used …


School Accommodations To Support Psychosocial Functioning And Self-Esteem In Adolescents With Long Qt Syndrome, Betsy E. Feinberg Jan 2010

School Accommodations To Support Psychosocial Functioning And Self-Esteem In Adolescents With Long Qt Syndrome, Betsy E. Feinberg

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The current manuscript, as part of a larger program of research, intended to examine whether long QT syndrome (LQTS), a chronic and life-threatening genetic cardiac illness, impacts adolescents' psychosocial functioning. After 2 1/2 years of involvement in the study and 13 months of attempted data collection, it was determined by the research team that the benefits of proceeding with an intervention plan outweighed the costs of waiting for data. Although the study was not able to be conducted within the anticipated time frame due to unforeseen logistical challenges, the study hypothesized that adolescents with higher ratings of self-reported social and …


Confronting The Unknown: Mothers’ Reactions, Challenges, And Ways Of Coping With A Child's Diagnosis Of Long Qt Syndrome, Twain Gonzales Jan 2009

Confronting The Unknown: Mothers’ Reactions, Challenges, And Ways Of Coping With A Child's Diagnosis Of Long Qt Syndrome, Twain Gonzales

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a life-threatening inherited cardiac condition. It is caused by a disturbance in the ion channel genes that control cardiac repolarization, resulting in ventricular arrhythmias that can lead to syncope, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), or sudden cardiac death (SCD). Most deaths occur in children, adolescents, and young adults. Although congenital LQTS occurs in 1/3000 to 1/5000 individuals, to date, little research has been conducted on the psychosocial effects of LQTS. Mothers who are confronted with a new diagnosis of their children’s LQTS are likely to have never heard of the disease prior to diagnosis, and few …