Family Environment and the Interrelation of Family Structure, Child Behavior, and Metabolic Control for Children with Diabetes

Abstract

Examined perceptions of the family environment in a cross-regional sample of 90 families who had children with diabetes and 89 controls. Families were classified as either traditional (intact) or nontraditional (single-parent or blended families). Parents of children with diabetes reported less family expressiveness, which was a predictor of clinically higher levels of child behavior problems than controls. Parents in nontraditional families reported lower levels of organization, less emphasis on active-recreational pursuits, and more child behavior problems than traditional families. An additive effect of diabetes and nontraditional family structure was found for children with diabetes from nontraditional families, who reported substantially less cohesion than all other groups. Nontraditional family structure was more disruptive for children with diabetes than for controls; it was the best predictor of behavior problems and was related to poorer metabolic control.

Caring for a child with Type 1 diabetes: Links between family cohesion, perceived impact, and parental adjustment.

“…Similar results were found in previous studies (Overstreet et al, 1995), although the literature is not consistent regarding this matter (Hamlett et al, 1992;Missotten et al, 2012).…”

“…Consequently, family functioning may be disturbed (Overstreet et al, 1995), and the likelihood of parental maladjustment may increase (De Beaufort & Barnard, 2012). Despite this increased risk, research has focused on the child's adjustment, with parental experiences receiving much less attention.…”

The Indirect Effect of Family Cohesion on Children’s Weight Status Through Maternal Quality of Life and Children’s Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms

“…Mothers who perceive a lower QoL may be less prone to share meals, time and healthy activities with their child which could be related to the symptoms in their youths. Members of a more cohesive family may be encouraged to openly express feelings (Overstreet et al, 1995), worries and emotions, as well as offer support to one another, which may contribute to a better maternal perceived QoL and also be link to fewer externalizing symptoms in the family members. Mothers with less cohesive families may lack the support, help and commitment from other members of the family (Moos & Moos, 1986) which can increase parental maladjustment, especially since FC appears to be a protective factor for parental adaptation (Field & Duchoslav, 2009).…”

The quality of medical aid provided to the children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

“…Отмечена связь депрессии с плохим контролем заболевания, сопровождающим-ся высоким уровнем сахара в крови и потребностью в госпитализациях, риском осложнений и смертно-сти [23][24][25]. Напротив, своевременная психологи-ческая поддержка, формирование благополучной семейной обстановки способствуют быстрой психо-логической адаптации, улучшению мониторинга са-хара в крови и приверженности к инсулинотерапии, улучшению контроля заболевания и качества жизни ребенка [26][27][28][29][30][31].…”