Boys scored
significantly higher than girls in
total problem score and externalising
scores with more social
problems, attention problems,
delinquent behaviour and aggressive
behaviour. No gender difference
was found regarding
internalising problem score.
Compared to healthy boys, no differences were found in total
problem, externalising or internalising
score. In girls lower values
were found in patients than
healthy children for total problem,
externalising and internalising
scores. Conclusions In the present
study boys scored themselves
higher with regard to total problem
score than girls. No effect was
found of due to different diagnoses.
The data indicate that the
children experience more problems
than the parents are aware of.
However, the behaviour problem
scores in children with cardiac
disease are significantly lower than
in healthy children. A close
parental follow-up and an experience
of being exposed to lifethreatening
situation may play a
role for the latter results.