Coping and caregiving experience of parents of children and adolescents with type-1 diabetes: An exploratory study

Abstract

Aims:To assess the coping strategies and the relationship of coping with subjective burden and positive caregiving consequences as perceived by the caregivers of children and adolescents with Type-1 diabetes.Design:Cross-sectional assessment.Setting:Outpatient of Endocrinology Department.Participants:Forty-one parents of children and adolescents with Type-1 diabetesMain Outcome Measure:Ways of coping checklist (WCC), involvement evaluation questionnaire (IEQ) and scale for assessment of positive aspects of caregiving experience (scale for positive aspects of caregiving experience) to study the coping, burden and positive aspects of caregiving respectively.Results:On WCC, the highest score was obtained for seeking social support, followed by planful problem-solving. More frequent use of coping strategies of confrontation and escape-avoidance was associated with significantly higher score on the tension domain of IEQ. Those who more frequently used problem-solving and distancing had significantly higher scores on worrying-urging-I domain of IEQ. supervision domain of IEQ was associated with more frequent use of confrontation, self-control, social support, escape-avoidance and positive reappraisal. More frequent use of distancing and problem-solving were associated with lower caregiving personal gains. More frequent use of problem-solving was associated with higher caregiver satisfaction and lower scores in the domain of self-esteem and social aspects of caring.Conclusion:Caregivers of patients with Type-1 diabetes predominantly use adaptive coping strategies. Higher use of certain coping strategies is associated with negative and positive caregiving consequences.

Effects of Mothers' Knowledge and Coping Strategies on the Glycemic Control of Their Diabetic Children in Egypt

“…The higher frequency of the coping strategy of “using social support” by the mothers was found also in a previous study[ 25 ] and this finding may reflects the cultural influence on the commonly used coping when faced with stress and reflects the Egyptian personality characteristic of interdependence and the family structure and family bonds of Egyptians. Furthermore, seeking social support from medical professionals may help mothers to obtain emotional support and manage any negative emotions during hard times.…”

Burden, coping mechanisms, and quality of life among caregivers of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis undergoing and renal transplant patients

“…[36] Lower use of accepting responsibility in caregivers of PD undergoing than RT patients may be a mechanism to lower the level of stress and frustration. [37] Accepting responsibility is problem-focusing coping strategy. Problem-focused coping strategies were found to be more useful in managing the stressful conditions.…”

ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines 2018: Psychological care of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

“…143 Identification and improvements in primary caregivers' (mostly mothers) coping may have the potential to improve both maternal and adolescent outcomes. [144][145][146][147][148][149] Children with parents exhibiting the negotiator coping pattern had better glycemic control than children with parents classified as avoiders or doers. 150 Research suggests that parental support groups may help parents cope more effectively in managing their children with T1D.…”

“…Identification and improvements in primary caregivers' (mostly mothers) coping may have the potential to improve both maternal and adolescent outcomes . Children with parents exhibiting the negotiator coping pattern had better glycemic control than children with parents classified as avoiders or doers .…”