ABSTRACT
The purposes of this study were: (1) to understand the differences in temperamental characteristics between preschoolers with congenital heart disease (CHD) and preschoolers generally, and (2) to discuss the relationship between characteristics of children temperament and maternal rearing patterns. The research subjects based on convenience sampling were 61 preschoolers with CHD and 76 non-CHD preschoolers. The "children temperament questionnaire" and "maternal rearing pattern rating scale" were posed to the mothers of the subjects and were filled in by them. The results showed that mothers of children with mild heart symptoms tended to adopt more protective rearing patterns than mothers of non-CHD children. Children in the group "whole heart function without symptoms" scored higher points for activity than children in the non-CHD group. Preschoolers with mild heart symptoms had greater intensity of reaction and persistence than non-CHD preschoolers, but statistically, there were no significant differences in other temperament characteristics between preschoolers with and without CHD. These results could serve as reference for nursing care of children with CHD and maternal rearing practice.