scholarly journals Psychological Well-Being of Carers of Children with Type 1 Diabetes: A Comparison with Carers of Children without a Chronic Condition

2018 ◽  
Vol 06 (02) ◽  
pp. 096-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Thomson ◽  
Philip Bergman ◽  
Margaret Hay

Abstract Context Caring for a child with a chronic illness requires additional responsibilities and burdens. Aims This research examined psychological well-being of carers of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). A comparison group of carers of children without a chronic condition was included to determine the specific influence T1DM has on carer well-being. Methods This cross-sectional correlational study included a sample of 93 carers of children with T1DM, and 84 comparison carers. Participants were administered the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS21), and the Parenting Stress Index Short Form 4th edition via an online questionnaire. Results Multivariate analysis revealed no significant differences between carer groups; additional univariate analyses, however, indicated that carers of children with T1DM scored significantly higher on depression and stress subscales on the DASS21, and recorded elevated anxiety scores. Conclusions Carers of children with T1DM appear to manage parenting stress; however, they may be at increased risk of depression, general stress, and anxiety.

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 624-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Re ◽  
Suzanne Dean ◽  
Jimmy Mullaert ◽  
Antoine Guedeney ◽  
Samuel Menahem

Background: Mothers and infants are exposed to multiple stresses when cardiac surgery is required for the infant. This study reviewed infant responsiveness using a standardized objective observational measure of social withdrawal and explored its association with measures of maternal distress. Methods: Mother–infant pairs involving infants surviving early cardiac surgery were assessed when the infant was aged two months. Infant social withdrawal was measured using the Alarm Distress Baby Scale. Maternal distress was assessed using self-report measures for maternal depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), anxiety (Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale), and parenting stress (Parenting Stress Index–Short Form). Potential associations between infant social withdrawal and maternal distress were evaluated. Results: High levels of maternal distress and infant social withdrawal were identified relative to community norms with a positive association. Such an association was not found between infant social withdrawal and the cardiac abnormality and surgery performed. Conclusion: The vulnerability of infants requiring cardiac surgery may be better understood when factors beyond their medical condition are considered. The findings suggested an association between maternal distress and infant social withdrawal, which may be consistent with mothers’ distress placing infants subjected to cardiac surgery at substantially increased risk of social withdrawal. However, it is unclear to what extent infant withdrawal may trigger maternal distress and what the interactive effects are. Further research is warranted. Trialing a mother–infant support program may be helpful in alleviating distress and improving the well-being and outcomes for these families.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Ferrito ◽  
Barbara Predieri ◽  
Dorina Pjetraj ◽  
Maria Cristina Alessandrelli ◽  
Manuela Pagnini ◽  
...  

Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in a child is often associated with anger, denial, fear, and depression from the parents. The aim of the study was to improve parents’ adaptation to the diagnosis of diabetes of their child. Sixty-two parents (29 mothers, 33 fathers) of 36 children with type 1 diabetes (mean age=11.3‐3.3 years; diabetes duration>1 year; HbA1c=57±11 mmol/mol) participated in a three-day educational working group pilot intervention study. Intervention was based on the reexamination of the traumatic event of diagnosis of T1D through spatial and time-line anchorage, retracing of the future, emotional awareness, and interactive discussion. Relaxing technique, diaphragmatic breathing, and guided visualization were used by 2 psychologists and 1 pediatric endocrinologist. The study was approved by EC and participants filled a consent form. At baseline and after intervention, parents filled in a questionnaire including Diabetes-Related Distress (DRD), Parent Health Locus of Control Scale (PHLOC), Parent Stress Index Short Form (PSI-SF), Hypoglycemia Fear Survey-Parents (HFS-P) and Hypoglycemia Fear Survey-Parents of Young Children (HFS-P-YC), and Health Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36). Three months after the intervention, both parents reported a reduction in the “difficult child” subscale of the PSI-SF (p<0.05) and increased scores of social functioning of the SF-36 (p<0.05). DRD score was significantly reduced in mothers (p=0.03), while the “parental distress” subscale of the PSI-SF was significantly improved in fathers (p=0.03). This weekend-based parent group intervention seems to reduce stress and improve social functioning of parents of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.


Author(s):  
Daniela Di Riso ◽  
Giulia Bassi ◽  
Elisa Mancinelli ◽  
Silvana Zaffani ◽  
Silvia Salcuni ◽  
...  

(1) Background: In the context of a child with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM), the rearrangement of the family’s lifestyle can account for an increased risk of experiencing psychosocial problems for both child and parents. Those few studies on pediatric diabetes, which focused on parents’ perception of children’s psychological strengths and weaknesses, reported significantly higher rates of children’s emotional and conduct problems associated with an imbalance in the Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The main aim of this paper was to assess the role of parental perception of children’s psychosocial symptoms as a mediator of the perceived parenting stress, considering mother and father separately. (2) Methods: The study involved 12 parent couples (Mothers Mage = 40.25, SD = 6.58; Fathers Mage = 42.5, SD = 6.38) of children with T1DM aged between 7 and 11 years (Mage = 8.8, SD = 0.996). Parents completed questionnaires such as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for parents and their perspective of their child, and the Parenting Stress Index–Short Form. (3) Results: Mothers and fathers had significant differences in the perception of their child’s internalizing symptoms. Specifically, mothers present a greater perception of the mentioned symptoms compared to fathers. Mediation models showed that only for fathers’ perception of the child conduct problems has a significant role between the fathers’ perception of dysfunctional interaction with the child and the HbA1c. (4) Conclusions: The current study provides useful evidence also for clinical settings, suggesting that an interesting interplay between parenting stress, perception of children’s symptoms and glucometabolic control should be taken into consideration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Breanne Hand ◽  
Priya Soni ◽  
Rebecca Oyetoro ◽  
Anastasia Albanese-O’Neill ◽  
Heba Ismail ◽  
...  

Background:  Approximately 200,000 American youth live with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Intensive daily management is critical to optimize disease outcomes. Little is known about COVID-19 pandemic effects on persons with T1D and their caregivers. We hypothesized caregivers would report increased stress, lower self-efficacy (SE), and more difficult diabetes management associated with the pandemic.     Methods: A 49-item survey using Likert scales and open-ended response questions was distributed via email and T1D-related social media platforms from May 4-June 2,2020 to caregivers of children with T1D <18 years of age. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) SE short form was used to measure general SE.     Results:  260 caregivers completed surveys: 94.2% female, mean age 42.4±7.7 years, 80.3% college degree or higher, 53.8% annual income >$99,000, 77.3% privately insured. Mean child age 11.0±4.1 years, mean T1D duration 4.2±3.4 years. 24.2% reported having COVID-19 or knowing someone diagnosed with COVID-19. 71.9% reported greater stress than before the pandemic. 9.6% reported job loss, 25.8% financial difficulty related to COVID-19. General SE levels were high, significantly correlated with overall COVID-19-related SE (r=0.394, p<0.001), and T1D care-SE during COVID-19 (r=0.421, p<0.001). 210 respondents provided open-ended response qualitative information on worries: 87.6% reported a worry, remainder not worried.  Common worries were COVID-19-related diabetes complications including uncontrolled blood sugars, diabetic ketoacidosis, and worry about child’s increased risk for severe disease, including death. 209 reported about challenges; 90.9% stated they had at least one challenge. Family isolation and mental health were the most-stated challenges.     Conclusion:  Despite reporting high overall SE, caregivers of T1D children during the pandemic reported greater overall stress, worries, and challenges. Given that data do not suggest that children with T1D are at increased risk of COVID-19 complications, healthcare providers should work to address this knowledge gap while providing families with social and mental health supports. 


2020 ◽  
pp. 136749352094271
Author(s):  
Ashley Teasdale ◽  
Christine A Limbers

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a pediatric chronic illness that is associated with significant parenting stress due to its lifelong course, burdensome disease management, and life-threatening complications. Although mothers of children with T1D have been studied extensively in relation to parenting stress, coping, and diabetes outcomes, there is a need to examine similar variables among fathers. The aim of the present study was to examine if fathers’ use of problem-solving skills was related to parenting stress and diabetes regimen adherence and if problem-solving skills moderated the associations between paternal involvement in diabetes care and parenting stress in a national online sample of 215 fathers of children with T1D. Self-report measures completed by fathers through Qualtrics included a demographic and disease-related questionnaire, the Social Problem-Solving Inventory—Revised; Parenting Stress Index—Fourth Edition, Short Form; Pediatric Inventory for Parents; Dads’ Active Disease Support Scale; and Self-Care Inventory—Revised. Pearson correlations were computed to assess associations among study variables. Four separate multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to determine the interactive effects of problem-solving skills and paternal involvement on parenting stress. Analyses revealed a large positive correlation between problem-solving skills and general parenting stress ( r = .63), and a large negative correlation between problem-solving skills and pediatric parenting stress ( r = −.52). The interaction between problem-solving skills and father involvement accounted for a significant amount of variance in a general parenting stress subscale ( p < .01) and pediatric parenting stress ( p < .05). These results highlight the importance of problem-solving skills for father outcomes in the context of T1D while implicating the potential benefit of a problem-solving intervention for this population.


Author(s):  
Chiara Suttora ◽  
Maria Spinelli ◽  
Tiziana Aureli ◽  
Mirco Fasolo ◽  
Francesca Lionetti ◽  
...  

The preterm birth of a child is a sudden event that can disturb the overall family system and its functioning. Many studies have been conducted with the aim of exploring how and the degree to which this event affects the early mother–infant dyadic relationship and maternal well-being, with often mixed findings. The present study investigates the combined effect of preterm birth and parenting stress on mind-mindedness, a parenting dimension that captures how parents represent and treat their children as separate individuals with their own mental states and activities. A hundred and ten mothers and their three-month-old infants (preterm = 54; full-term = 56) participated in the study. Mind-mindedness was assessed by coding mothers’ comments about infant’s mental states during dyadic face-to-face interaction. Parenting stress was evaluated with the Parenting Stress Index Short Form questionnaire. Mothers of preterm infants reported similar levels of appropriate and non-attuned mind-related comments to mothers of full-term infants. The reported parenting stress levels were also comparable. Interestingly, only mothers of preterm infants who reported higher stress in parenting showed more non-attuned comments during the interaction. The results underline the need to address preterm birth as a complex event, going beyond group differences and considering its interplay with other risk or protective factors in shaping children’s and parents’ adjustments and well-being.


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