# Effect of Chronic Pediatric Heart Conditions on Family Dynamics in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study explores how chronic heart conditions in children affect family life in Saudi Arabia, highlighting emotional and financial challenges and the need for better support systems.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into family dynamics and coping strategies specific to Saudi Arabia's healthcare and cultural context.

## Key findings

- Most families faced emotional stress and financial hardship due to the child's heart condition.
- Over half of the families reported receiving emotional support from medical professionals but sought more specialized mental health help.
- No significant demographic differences were found in the effects of the child's condition on families.

## Abstract

Introduction: Chronic pediatric heart diseases significantly affect family dynamics, therefore affecting caregivers' emotional, financial, and social spheres of life. Understanding how healthcare systems and family structures differ in Saudi Arabia helps us improve support systems since they directly affect families. This study investigated how chronic pediatric cardiac diseases affected family dynamics and what elements supported caregivers' stress and coping strategies.

Methods: Between February and March 2025, a cross-sectional survey was conducted at King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Through a self-administered survey, data were gathered from parents or main caregivers of children with chronic cardiac diseases, including congenital and acquired heart conditions. The aspects of family life evaluated in the survey were emotional effects, financial difficulty, social dynamics, and coping mechanisms. Data were analyzed utilizing thematic analysis and descriptive statistics.

Results: One hundred families were included in the study; most of their children, 59 (59%), were diagnosed with septal defects. Many of the households had not undergone any significant treatment, 59 (59%). With 56 (56%) caregivers reporting stress caused by the child's condition and 22 (22%) suffering financial hardship, results showed major emotional and economic difficulties. Moreover, 63 (63%) families reported receiving emotional support from medical professionals. Still, 63 (63%) parents looked for more specialized mental health assistance. Regarding the effects of the child's condition and variables like gender, nationality, or main diagnosis, no major demographic differences were discovered.

Conclusion: In Saudi Arabia, chronic childhood cardiac problems greatly affect family dynamics and provide major emotional, financial, and social difficulties. Families stated that they got some healthcare assistance; therefore, more psychological resources and all-encompassing support networks are required to solve the emotional and economic burden on caregivers. The results emphasize the importance of including family-centered care in pediatric cardiology clinics and encouraging more developed support networks for families coping with chronic diseases.