Aim: this study aimed to assess stress and coping styles among parents of children
undergoing heart surgery. A descriptive study was used. Sample: A convenient sample of 132
parents. Setting: This study was conducted at pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and in-patient
pediatric ward to open heart surgery at El-Demerdash hospital that affiliated to Ain Shams
University. Tools of data collection: 1) General characteristics questionnaire containing the
following parts: A) Socio-demographic characteristics and clinical data of child, B) Socio-
demographic characteristics of parents; 2) Parent Stress Scale; and 3) Jalowiec Coping Scale (JCS).
Results of the study: revealed that, the majority of the studied parents of children with heart
surgery experienced moderate level of stress and two thirds of them had ineffective coping.
Conclusion: The majority of the studied parents of children with heart surgery experienced
moderate level of stress and two thirds of them had ineffective coping .also; this study concluded
that there was a negative correlation between stress level and coping behaviors among the studied
parents of children undergoing heart surgery.
Recommendation: Applying educational
interventional program for enhancement of stress and coping styles of parents of children with heart
surgery