title: Negative thoughts in adults with congenital heart disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many patients with congenital heart disease have persistent cardiac defects, psychosocial adjustment problems, and a poor quality of life. This study tested the relationship between negative thoughts and adaptation to congenital heart disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-two adult out-Patients with congenital heart disease were divided on the basis of few, moderate or many negative thoughts. Group differences were tested in medical and psychosocial adjustment variables (including negative emotions), and quality of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with many negative thoughts scored worse on psychosocial adjustment and quality of life, irrespective of severity of cardiac deviation, according to the cardiologist, New York Heart Association classification, number of passed and expected surgery, or use of medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Negative affect in general, rather than negative thoughts is decisive in psychosocial adjustment and quality of life. Psychological intervention would be helpful for many patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Roetersstraat 15, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. rietveld@psy.uva.nl
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rietveld
authors.forename: Barbara J M
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Mulder
authors.forename: Ilja
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: van Beest
authors.forename: Wies
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lubbers
authors.forename: Pier J M
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Prins
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vioen
authors.forename: Floor
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bennebroek-Evererz
authors.forename: Annelies
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vos
authors.forename: Gerie
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Casteelen
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Karsdorp
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life