Evaluation of child and parent outcomes after a pediatric cardiac camp experience

Purpose: This study evaluated the effects of a cardiac camp experience on children with heart disease and their parents. Design and Methods: A repeated measures design was used with 49 parent-child dyads. Repeated measures evaluated the effects of camp on anxiety, attitude toward illness, and psychosocial functioning of the children. Parental anxiety was also evaluated. Results: Results demonstrated decreases in parent anxiety, decreases in child trait anxiety, and positive psychosocial outcomes in the areas of self-esteem, social, physical, and emotional functioning. Practice Implications: Findings can be used to support decisions for those contemplating a camping experience for the child with heart disease.