Social Problem-Solving Orientation and PTSD Symptoms in Adults with LQTS Who Experienced Cardiac Events

Philadelphia Campus

Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is a genetic condition affecting 1:2500, predisposing individuals to cardiac arrhythmias (Ellis et al., 2009). Life threatening symptoms are unpredictable though physical exertion, emotional upset, and sleep are known triggers. Severity of symptoms and psychological factors predict development of PTSD symptoms for other cardiac diseases (Whitehead et al., 2006). Effects of LQTS-related events have not been studied. Individuals with PTSD show poorer problem solving compared to those without PTSD (Sutherland & Bryant, 2008). Problem orientation is comprised of the cognitive-emotional schemas reflective of the approaches towards problem-solving ability, general life appraisals, and beliefs (D’Zurilla et al., 2004). This study aimed to determine if there is a relationship between Positive Problem Orientation (PPO) and PTSD symptoms, and Negative (NPO) Problem Orientation and PTSD symptoms in adults with LQTS who have experienced cardiac events. Methods: 35 of 42 adults who participated in a larger Quality of Life study experienced at least 1 LQTS related cardiac event. 27 had complete data (71.4% female; mean age=36; avg. cardiac events=3.5). 40% met criteria for PTSD. Measures included Posttraumatic Checklist (PCL) and Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised (SPSI-R). Results: PPO was not significantly related to PTSD symptoms. NPO was significantly correlated with many PTSD symptoms, including Emotional Reaction (r=.488, p=.01), Avoidance of Activities (r=.431, p=.025), Emotional Numbing (r=.527, p=.005), and Irritability (r=.531, p=.004).

Discussion: LQTS patients are underevaluated and underattended to for mental health care (Conlin, 2012). The current study may be the first to identify LQTS patients reporting PTSD symptoms. Preliminary findings indicate significant correlations between NPO and PTSD symptoms for adults who had experienced LQTS-related cardiac events. Further research is needed to investigate this relationship and how to target psychological interventions to address this population’s needs.