Parenting behavior, child functioning, and health behaviors in preadolescents with type 1 diabetes

Psychological variables and lifestyle in children with type1 diabetes and their parents: A systematic review

Diabetes may impact physical and psychosocial well-being; the diabetes incidence has seen a drastic increase globally. There is also a rise in poor mental health and well-being in children with and without chronic illness; problems are being seen at a younger age. The objective of this review was to understand the determinants of these problems in a family context. We conducted a systematic review to investigate what lifestyle and psychological factors influence children with Type 1 diabetes and their parents. A focused literature search was performed using a combination of keywords that covered the relevant terminology for diabetes, target population, and associated emotional distress, using electronic bibliographic databases containing publications until May 2022. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tools for Quantitative Studies. Twenty articles met the inclusion criteria. Quality scores were weak because of a lack of comparison groups, information about the type of therapy, or adequate sample sizes. Many of the studies included a wide age range in their sample. The majority of the studies reported that parents and their children showed depression symptoms, fear of hypoglycaemia, and higher parenting stress. We conclude that sufficiently powered studies employing appropriate control groups and measures are needed to elucidate the psychological variables associated with Type1 diabetes in children and the effects on parents, especially considering primary-age children who are increasingly reported to suffer from poor mental health, and its implications. This should help to introduce better targeted interventions and improve behavioural outcomes.

The Role of Systemic Family Psychotherapy in Glycemic Control for Children with Type 1 Diabetes

(1) Background: Family factors play an important role in the management of diabetes, establishing a relationship between conflicts and non-adherence to therapy. High values of HbA1c are involved in specific complications of the disease (retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, ketoacidosis). This study aimed to determine the role of systemic family psychotherapeutic interventions in increasing the quality of parent-child/adolescent relationships and in optimizing the child's glycemic control. (2) Methods: In this prospective observational study, 64 parents of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes were evaluated regarding their relationship with their children, using the Child-Parent Relationship Scale-Short Form (CPRS-short form). The children were divided into three groups: one participated for 6 months in systemic family psychotherapy with children and their parents (FT), the second group participated in individual psychotherapy (IT), and the control group (CG) received no intervention. HbA1c values were recorded before and after the interventions. (3) Results: HbA1c means decreased significantly after the family psychotherapy program. The scores on closeness in the family therapy group increased significantly, and the scores on conflict decreased significantly after the intervention, compared with IT and CG. (4) Conclusions: Systemic family psychotherapy produces better results in disease management and in strengthening parent-child relationships.

Parenting Practices and Adolescents' Mental Health: The Mediating Role of Perceived Maternal and Paternal Acceptance-Rejection and Adolescents' Self-Efficacy

Parenting practices are essential in promoting children's mental health, especially in effective and ineffective parenting. The use of ineffective parenting practices is no longer encouraged in the west; however, it remains a common practice among Asian households. Ineffective parenting consists of inconsistent discipline, corporal punishment, and poor monitoring which may result in mental health consequences. Thus, this study assessed the mediating effects of adolescents' self-efficacy and parental acceptance-rejection on the relationship between ineffective parenting practices and adolescents' mental health. The current study involved a total of 761 school-going Malaysian adolescents aged 13-18 (38.5% males; Mage = 15.65; SDage = 1.43). This study utilized a cross-sectional design where it measured adolescents' mental health, ineffective parenting practices, parental acceptance-rejection, and adolescents' self-efficacy. Both paternal and maternal parenting practices and acceptance-rejection were measured independently. Adolescents' self-efficacy and perceived paternal and maternal acceptance-rejection were found to be significant mediators for ineffective parenting practices and adolescents' mental health. Our findings suggest that ineffective parenting practices will result in perceived parental rejection and lower self-efficacy which in turn resulted in poorer mental health among adolescents. It means parents should be mindful of their parenting approaches as they have a direct and indirect impact on the mental health of their offspring.

Predicting healthcare utilization in youth with type 1 diabetes: The importance of family level variables

OBJECTIVE

Little is known about how family factors impacting treatment adherence in type 1 diabetes are directly associated with unplanned healthcare utilization (e.g., emergency room visits and hospital admissions). Given the substantial financial burden of diabetes, understanding predictors of healthcare utilization in particular is important to inform behavioral interventions aimed toward improving adherence.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The current study examined the relationship between family-level variables and healthcare utilization in a sample of 239 youth with type 1 diabetes and their parents. Healthcare utilization was determined via parent report and chart review. Parent- and youth-reports regarding levels of family conflict, youth autonomy, and parent support related to diabetes management were obtained via questionnaire, and negative reciprocity was obtained by coding observations of parent and youth interactions. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to examine the longitudinal association between healthcare utilization and family-level factors.

RESULTS

Higher levels of observed negative reciprocity were associated with more frequent hospital admissions, while higher levels of youth-reported parent involvement in diabetes management were associated with fewer hospital admissions and ED visits.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight how family-level factors are directly related to healthcare utilization and point to the continued importance of integrating family-focused behavioral interventions in routine medical care for improving type 1 diabetes outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

Barriers and Facilitators to Involvement in Children's Diabetes Management Among Minority Parents

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe parents' perceptions of the factors that facilitate or are barriers to their involvement in children's type 1 diabetes (T1D) management among African American and Latino parents.

METHODS

African American and Latino parents (N = 28) of 5- to 9-year-old children with T1D completed audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews that were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Themes were identified that aligned with the theoretically-derived Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) framework.

RESULTS

Parents described Capability-based facilitators of parent involvement, including positive stress management, religious/spiritual coping, organizational/planning skills, and diabetes knowledge. Capability-based barriers included child and parent distress. Interpersonal relationships, degree of flexibility in work environments, and access to diabetes technologies were both Opportunity-based facilitators and barriers; and Opportunity-based barriers consisted of food insecurity/low financial resources. Parents' desire for their child to have a "normal" life was described as both a Motivation-based facilitator and barrier.

CONCLUSIONS

African American and Latino families described helpful and unhelpful factors that spanned all aspects of the COM-B model. Reinforcing or targeting families' unique psychological, interpersonal, and environmental strengths and challenges in multilevel interventions has potential to maximize parental involvement in children's diabetes management.

The experience of living with a chronic disease in pediatrics from the mothers' narratives: The Clinical Interview on Parental Sense of Grip on the Disease

The Clinical Interview on the Sense of Grip on Chronic Disease has been administered to 68 mothers of children affected by Hereditary Angioedema (C1-Inh HAE), Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). The objectives are to detect general features of the experience of parenting children with chronic illness as well as the specificities of this experience related to the different conditions. Four Profiles of Sense of Grip were identified: Adempitive, Controlling, Reactive, Dynamic. The Sense of Grip Interview is an effective clinical tool for understanding the characteristics of the disease in daily life, which can help clinicians to encourage family adjustment to disease.

"How am I gonna cope?": Caregivers of adolescents with diabetes in Jamaica

Objective

To determine the challenges, coping strategies and needs of urban and rural Jamaican caregivers of adolescents with diabetes, and suggest ways to assist coping.

Methods

This qualitative study comprised four focus groups (two urban and two rural) with a total of nineteen caregivers of adolescents with diabetes. Thematic analysis was conducted on the data.

Results

The main challenges caregivers faced were keeping their children healthy, managing conflict with their children, and financial concerns. They met these challenges with problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies. Caregivers used the problem-focused strategies of vigilance, advocacy, minimising their children’s negative emotions, coercion, education, and seeking support, and the emotion-focused strategies of relying on their identity as parents and turning to their faith. Caregivers wanted assistance acquiring medication and equipment, increased diabetes education, and support groups.

Discussion

More resources should be channelled toward provision of diabetes supplies. Diabetes education is necessary in schools and for the general public. Healthcare practitioners should explore issues beyond diabetes management, such as caregivers’ coping and the caregiver-child relationship. Support groups are needed to facilitate learning. Special attention must be paid to rural areas: rural residents appeared to be in greater need than their urban counterparts.

Caregivers' Sensemaking of Children's Hereditary Angioedema: A Semiotic Narrative Analysis of the Sense of Grip on the Disease

Background and aims: In pediatrics receiving a diagnosis of a chronic condition is a matter that involves caregivers at first. Beyond the basic issues of caring for the physical condition of the ill child, how caregivers face and make sense of the disease orients and co-constructs their children’s sensemaking processes of the disease itself. The aim of this article is to explore the experience of a rare chronic illness, a pediatric case of Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) from the caregivers’ perspective. Hereditary angioedema is characterized by subcutaneous swellings that can involve internal as well as external mucosal tissues and is highly variable and unpredictable in terms of severity, frequency, and where it occurs.

A qualitative narrative semiotic analysis of n. 28 maternal narratives on their children’s disease experience. Narratives were collected by an ad hoc interview on three domains of the disease experience: (A) interpretation of disease variability, (B) dialogical processes, and (C) management of the disease. Subsequently, we executed a TwoStep cluster analysis for categorical data to detect cross-sectional profiles of the maternal sensemaking processes of the disease.

Results: The coding grid was built analyzing the characteristics of the narrative links that orient the connection between the elements of the experience within each domain: (A) the connection among events, for the domain of disease variability interpretation, (B) the connection between self and other, for the dialogue domain, and (C) the connection among sensemaking and actions, for the disease management domain. Results from the cluster analysis show three narrative profiles: (1) adempitive; (2) reactive; (3) dynamic.

Discussion: Profiles will be discussed in light of the general conceptual framework of the Sense of Grip on the Disease (SoGoD) highlighting the importance of those sensemaking processes which, instead of relying on a coherent and closed interpretation of the disease, are characterized by a degree of tolerance for uncertainty and the unknown.

Measuring Self-Efficacy in the Context of Pediatric Diabetes Management: Psychometric Properties of the Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Scale

Objective

The Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Scale (SED) is a widely used measure of diabetes-specific self-efficacy with three subscales: diabetes-specific self-efficacy (SED-D), medical self-efficacy (SED-M), and general self-efficacy (SED-G). The present study examined the factor structure and construct validity of the SED in 116 youth, aged 10-16 years (13.60 ± 1.87), with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the factor structure of the SED. Correlational and regression analyses examined relations between subscales and select outcomes.

Results

CFA of the original three-factor structure provided a poor fit to the data. Factor models using rescaled items were tested. Results provided preliminary evidence for the SED-D as an independent one-factor model, and for a reduced one-factor model. Significant associations were found between the SED subscales, responsibility for diabetes management, and glycated hemoglobin.

Conclusions

Results provide limited support for the SED-D as a reliable and valid measure of diabetes-specific self-efficacy.

Longitudinal Model Predicting Self-Concept in Pediatric Chronic Illness

Although self-concept has been identified as salient to the psychosocial adjustment of adolescents dealing with a chronic illness (CI), little research has focused on its predictors it. Given that depression and parent-child attachment have been linked to self-concept in the population at large, the goal of this study was to evaluate these relationships longitudinally in a sample of adolescents with CI. Using participant data from the Mastering Each New Direction (MEND) program, a 3-month psychosocial, family based intensive outpatient program for adolescents with CI, we employed multilevel modeling to test longitudinal changes in self-concept, as predicted by depressive symptoms and parent-child attachment, in a sample of 50 youths (M_age  = 14.56, SD_age  = 1.82) participating in MEND. Both "time spent in the program" and decreases in depressive symptoms were associated with increases in self-concept over time. Higher baseline levels of avoidant attachment to both mother and father were also associated with greater initial levels of self-concept. Targeting depressive symptoms and supporting adaptive changes in attachment may be key to promoting a healthy self-concept in pediatric CI populations. The association between avoidant attachment and higher baseline self-concept scores may reflect differences in participants' autonomy, self-confidence, or depression. Limitations of the study include variability in the amount of time spent in the program, attrition in final time point measures, and the inability to fully examine and model all potential covariates due to a small sample size (e.g. power).

Depression and parenting in youth with type 1 diabetes: Are general and diabetes-specific parenting behaviors associated with depressive symptoms over a 2-year period?

To examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of general parenting style and diabetes-specific parenting behaviors with depression in youth with type 1 diabetes. Participants (n = 390) completed self-report measures of depression at baseline and 2-year follow-up, general parenting style at baseline, and diabetes-specific parenting (conflict, task involvement, and collaborative involvement) at baseline and every 6 months. Logistic regression examined associations of parenting with depression at baseline and 2-year follow-up. A less authoritative parenting style, lower parent collaborative involvement, and greater diabetes-related conflict were associated with baseline depression in the model simultaneously including all parenting variables and covariates. Lower parent collaborative involvement and higher diabetes-related conflict were associated with depression at 2-year follow-up, adjusting for baseline depression and covariates. Parent task involvement was not associated with depression at either time. Findings suggest a protective role of parenting in reducing the risk of depression in youth with type 1 diabetes.

Maternal Parenting Styles and Glycemic Control in Children with Type 1 Diabetes

The purpose of this study is to examine differences in parenting styles between mothers of children with type 1 diabetes and mothers of healthy children and to explore relationships between parenting styles and glycemic control of children with diabetes. Mothers of 63 children with diabetes and mothers of 83 children without diabetes reported their parenting styles using the Blocks' Child Rearing Practices Report, when their child was 9⁻10 years old. Glycemic control of the children with diabetes was evaluated 1 year after diagnosis (<6 years of age) and at the time of the study (at 9⁻10 years). Mothers of children with diabetes used more psychological control than mothers of healthy children. Among girls with diabetes, poorer early glycemic control was associated with mothers' subsequent greater use of psychological control. Behavioral control was positively associated with poorer current glycemic control. In boys, psychological control was positively associated with poorer current glycemic control. Psychological control in families with diabetes needs attention, because it has shown to be associated with poorer diabetes care.

Multi-informant path models of the influence of psychosocial and treatment-related variables on adherence and metabolic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Background

We assessed the associations between metabolic control and adherence and a broad range of adolescent and family characteristics (e.g., gender, family structure), treatment-related variables (e.g., disease duration, treatment modality), and psychosocial factors (e.g., symptoms of depression and anxiety, parental support, self-efficacy) in a nationwide study of Danish adolescents (age 12–17 years) with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Methods

Sixty-four percent of invited families participated by completing a survey and providing a blood sample. Two path models of associations between generic and diabetes-related family factors, adolescent self-efficacy, emotional difficulties, and metabolic control and adherence were tested, one for adolescents and one for caregivers. Demographic variables were included as covariates.

Results

Both path models demonstrated a satisfying model fit. In both models, metabolic control was associated with adherence, age, and T1DM duration. In the adolescent model, metabolic control was also related to treatment modality, single-parent household, caregiver non-support, and anxiety, whereas in the caregiver model metabolic control was associated with family conflict and caregiver support. In both models, adherence was related to age, duration, treatment modality, family conflict, caregiver support, family functioning, and emotional difficulties of the adolescent. In the adolescent model, adherence was also related to adolescent self-efficacy, whereas in the caregiver model adherence was associated with adolescent gender and caregiver non-support and support. Adolescent self-efficacy, emotional well-being, and difficulties related to adolescent/caregiver interaction appeared to be particularly important, as indicated by their stronger association with adherence and/or metabolic control.

Conclusion

The results highlight the value of applying a multi-informant approach to address the psychosocial well-being of adolescents with diabetes in a large national sample. Self-efficacy, emotional, and family-related difficulties are important aspects to address in both clinical care and future research regarding adolescents with T1DM.

Prospective Pilot Study of the Mastering Each New Direction Psychosocial Family Systems Program for Pediatric Chronic Illness

Psychosocial interventions for pediatric chronic illness (CI) have been shown to support health management. Interventions that include a family systems approach offer potentially stronger and more sustainable improvements. This study explores the biopsychosocial benefits of a novel family systems psychosocial intervention (MEND: Mastering Each New Direction). Forty-five families participated in a 21-session intensive outpatient family systems-based program for pediatric CI. Within this single arm design, families were measured on five domains of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) self-report measures; Stress, Cognitive Functioning, Mental Health, Child HRQL, Family Functioning. Both survey and biological measures (stress: catecholamine) were used in the study. Results from multivariate general linear models showed positive pre-, post-, and 3-month posteffects in all five domains. The program effects ranged from small to moderate (η²  = .07-.64). The largest program effects were seen in the domains of cognitive functioning (η²  = .64) and stress (η²  = .27). Also, between disease groups, differences are noted and future implications for research and clinical practice are discussed. Conclusions suggest that the MEND program may be useful in helping families manage pediatric chronic illnesses. Study results also add to the growing body of literature suggesting that psychosocial interventions for pediatric chronic illness benefit from a family systems level of intervention.

Systematic Review of Screening Instruments for Psychosocial Problems in Children and Adolescents With Long-Term Physical Conditions

Children and adolescents with long-term physical conditions (LTPCs) are at greater risk of developing psychosocial problems. Screening for such problems may be undertaken using validated psychometric instruments to facilitate early intervention. A systematic review was undertaken to identify clinically utilized and psychometrically validated instruments for identifying depression, anxiety, behavior problems, substance use problems, family problems, and multiple problems in children and adolescents with LTPCs. Comprehensive searches of articles published in English between 1994 and 2014 were completed via Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases, and by examining reference lists of identified articles and previous related reviews. Forty-four potential screening instruments were identified, described, and evaluated against predetermined clinical and psychometric criteria. Despite limitations in the evidence regarding their clinical and psychometric validity in this population, a handful of instruments, available at varying cost, in multiple languages and formats, were identified to support targeted, but not universal, screening for psychosocial problems in children and adolescents with LTPCs.

Parental Diabetes Behaviors and Distress Are Related to Glycemic Control in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes: Longitudinal Data from the DINO Study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate (1) the longitudinal relationship between parental well-being and glycemic control in youth with type 1 diabetes and (2) if youth's problem behavior, diabetes parenting behavior, and parental diabetes-distress influence this relationship.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Parents of youth 8-15 yrs (at baseline) (N = 174) participating in the DINO study completed questionnaires at three time waves (1 yr interval). Using generalized estimating equations, the relationship between parental well-being (WHO-5) and youth's HbA1c was examined. Second, relationships between WHO-5, Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Diabetes Family Behavior Checklist (DFBC), Problem Areas In Diabetes-Parent Revised (PAID-Pr) scores, and HbA1c were analyzed.

RESULTS

Low well-being was reported by 32% of parents. No relationship was found between parents' WHO-5 scores and youth's HbA1c (β = -0.052, p = 0.650). WHO-5 related to SDQ (β = -0.219, p < 0.01), DFBC unsupportive scale (β = -0.174, p < 0.01), and PAID-Pr (β = -0.666, p < 0.01). Both DFBC scales (supportive β = -0.259, p = 0.01; unsupportive β = 0.383, p = 0.017), PAID-Pr (β = 0.276, p < 0.01), and SDQ (β = 0.424, p < 0.01) related to HbA1c.

CONCLUSIONS

Over time, reduced parental well-being relates to increased problem behavior in youth, unsupportive parenting, and parental distress, which negatively associate with HbA1c. More unsupportive diabetes parenting and distress relate to youth's problem behavior.

Positive parenting for healthy living (Triple P) for parents of children with type 1 diabetes: protocol of a randomised controlled trial

Background

Type 1 diabetes is a serious, life-long condition which causes major health, social and economic burden for children, their families and the community. Diabetes management involves strict adherence to a complex regimen, and poor management and non-adherence are a persistent problem among children. Parent-child interactions and parenting have been identified as crucial points of intervention to support children’s health and emotional well-being, yet few parenting interventions have been developed or evaluated for parents of young children. This paper describes a randomised controlled trial of a brief, group-based parenting intervention for parents of young children (2-10 years) with type 1 diabetes compared against care as usual (CAU).

Methods/design

Families will be randomised to either Positive Parenting for Healthy Living Triple P or CAU. Positive Parenting for Healthy Living Triple P involves 2 × 2 h group sessions. Outcomes will be assessed via parent and child questionnaire, home observations and blood glucose monitoring at baseline, 1-month and 6-months post-intervention. Primary outcomes will be parent- and child-reported parenting behaviour, parent-reported child behaviour and adjustment, and parent-reported child quality-of-life. Secondary outcomes will include parental self-efficacy with diabetes management, illness-specific and general parenting stress, parent-reported child illness behaviour, family quality-of-life, observed parenting and child behaviour, and child’s illness control.

Discussion

The theoretical background, study hypotheses, methods and planned analyses are discussed.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12613001281785. Registered 20 November, 2013.

A Research Framework for Understanding the Practical Impact of Family Involvement in the Juvenile Justice System: The Juvenile Justice Family Involvement Model

Family involvement is recognized as a critical element of service planning for children's mental health, welfare and education. For the juvenile justice system, however, parents' roles in this system are complex due to youths' legal rights, public safety, a process which can legally position parents as plaintiffs, and a historical legacy of blaming parents for youth indiscretions. Three recent national surveys of juvenile justice-involved parents reveal that the current paradigm elicits feelings of stress, shame and distrust among parents and is likely leading to worse outcomes for youth, families and communities. While research on the impact of family involvement in the justice system is starting to emerge, the field currently has no organizing framework to guide a research agenda, interpret outcomes or translate findings for practitioners. We propose a research framework for family involvement that is informed by a comprehensive review and content analysis of current, published arguments for family involvement in juvenile justice along with a synthesis of family involvement efforts in other child-serving systems. In this model, family involvement is presented as an ascending, ordinal concept beginning with (1) exclusion, and moving toward climates characterized by (2) information-giving, (3) information-eliciting and (4) full, decision-making partnerships. Specific examples of how courts and facilities might align with these levels are described. Further, the model makes predictions for how involvement will impact outcomes at multiple levels with applications for other child-serving systems.

A systematic review of parenting interventions for parents of children with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the parenting intervention literature for parents of children aged 2-10 years (mean age <10 years) with type 1 diabetes and to evaluate intervention efficacy in improving a range of parent, family and child outcomes. The present review de-emphasizes the traditional medical approach to illness management summarized in previous reviews and focuses on parenting factors identified in the literature as important to diabetes management. This review article is important as it outlines the present state of parenting intervention literature for this population.

METHODS

Electronic searches were conducted for seven databases (Cumulative index to nursing and allied health literature, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, The Cochrane library and Web of Science) from their start dates until April 2014. Reference lists of all included papers were also searched for potentially relevant articles.

RESULTS

Seven papers, representing six studies, met the inclusion criteria. Three studies primarily focused on improving parenting practices. The intervention programmes described in the remaining studies comprised multiple components; thus, it is difficult to establish the contribution of the parenting components to improving outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Parenting interventions may help to improve responsibility sharing and cooperation in diabetes management, child behaviour difficulties, parental behaviour, parents' psychological distress and child health outcomes. This review suggests the need for further well-designed trials of parenting interventions to determine their specific contribution to improving outcomes for this population.

The impact of parents' sleep quality and hypoglycemia worry on diabetes self-efficacy

Parents of young children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) may experience poor sleep quality, possibly impacting their confidence in T1D management. This study investigated sleep characteristics among parents of children with T1D and relationships among parents' sleep quality, hypoglycemia worry, and diabetes self-efficacy. As part of baseline assessment for a randomized clinical trial (RCT) to promote parental management of T1D, 134 parents of children ≤ age 6 reported on demographics, parent sleep characteristics, hypoglycemia worry, and diabetes self-efficacy. Parents reported they slept less time than recommended by the National Sleep Foundation and endorsed greater global sleep problems than standardized norms of healthy adults; one third of parents reported their overall sleep quality was "fairly bad" or "very bad." Hypoglycemia worry and parents' sleep quality were both significantly related to diabetes self-efficacy, but parents' sleep quality did not mediate the relationship of hypoglycemia worry and diabetes self-efficacy. Many parents experience disrupted sleep that impacts their perceived ability to perform T1D management. Interventions designed to improve parental T1D self-efficacy should consider sleep and concerns about children's hypoglycemia.

The link between depression and diabetes: the search for shared mechanisms

Depression is twice as common in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes as in the general population, and is associated with poor outcomes. Evidence is growing that depression and type 2 diabetes share biological origins, particularly overactivation of innate immunity leading to a cytokine-mediated inflammatory response, and potentially through dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Throughout the life course, these pathways can lead to insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, depression, increased risk of type 2 diabetes, and increased mortality. Proinflammatory cytokines might directly affect the brain, causing depressive symptoms. In type 1 diabetes, mediators of depression are not well studied, with research hindered by inconsistent definitions of depression and scarcity of observational, mechanistic, and interventional research along the life course. Despite few studies, evidence suggests that familial relationships and burden of a lifelong disorder with an onset early in personality development might contribute to increased vulnerability to depression. Overall, longitudinal research is needed to identify risk factors and mechanisms for depression in patients with diabetes, particularly early in the life course. Ultimately, improved understanding of shared origins of depression and diabetes could provide the potential to treat and improve outcomes of both disorders simultaneously. These shared origins are targets for primary prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Glycemic Control, Self-Efficacy and Fear of Hypoglycemia Among Iranian Children with Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to test the reliability of a Persian version of 2 questionnaires to assess the level of fear of hypoglycemia (FoH) and self-efficacy in diabetes management and their association with glycated hemoglobin (A1C) and parents' demographic characteristics in a sample of children with type 1 diabetes.

DESIGN

We assessed 61 children with type 1 diabetes (35 boys and girls, 6.0 to 12.7 years of age) using the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey-Child version (HFS-C) and Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Scale-Child version (SED-C). Their glycemic control was evaluated by A1C levels.

RESULTS

The internal consistency of the Persian version of HFS-C and SED-C were very good. Our results showed that children older than 10 years of age report lower levels of FoH, which are related to higher levels of self-efficacy (r=-.30, p=0.025 and r=-.30, p=0.02, respectively). Of the children, 42.3% of girls and 31.4% of boys reported that low blood sugar is a big problem for them. These findings suggest that FoH is a significant concern for this target group. Only 19.7% of children had controlled diabetes based on A1C levels. There was no significant association between higher A1C levels and other variables, including HFS-C, SED-C and parents' demographic characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Persian version of HFS-C and SED-C are reliable and valid measures of the fear of hypoglycemia and of self-efficacy in children with type 1 diabetes, and these questionnaires could be used in our country for identifying those children who may need diabetes education and other supports. The association between greater self-efficacy and lower fear of hypoglycemia suggests that addressing self-efficacy in diabetes education courses may be effective in helping to overcome FoH.

An integrative review of self-efficacy measurement instruments in youth with type 1 diabetes

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to assess the extant literature on instruments used to measure self-efficacy in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and their caregivers and to critically evaluate these measurements.

METHODS

An integrative review (2003-2013) was conducted searching PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and US National Library of Medicine PubMed service (PubMed) databases using key words diabetes, type 1 diabetes, and self-efficacy. The authors reviewed the resulting 294 references for inclusion criteria of (a) sample of youth with T1DM or sample of caregivers of youth with T1DM, (b) description of the self-efficacy instrument as primary research, and (c) the instrument measured self-efficacy specifically related to diabetes management. Forty-five articles out of the initial 294 met criteria.

RESULTS

Of the 45 articles, 10 different self-efficacy instruments were identified. The primary theoretical framework used was Bandura's social cognitive theory and model of self-efficacy. Most participants were white middle-class T1DM youth. Evaluations to assess validity often were not reported; however, a majority of studies reported high internal consistency of the instruments.

CONCLUSIONS

Sample homogeneity could limit the applicability of results to certain patient populations. Further psychometric analysis, including validity assessments, should be conducted in more diverse samples. Development of valid and reliable instruments for measuring self-efficacy that are sensitive to change across a wider caregiver base over time is necessary. While this review examined reliable and valid instruments used in research, future opportunities include evaluation of measuring self-efficacy in T1DM youth exposed to recent advances in diabetes management technologies.

Evaluation of a family systems intervention for managing pediatric chronic illness: Mastering Each New Direction (MEND)

Family systems play a crucial, albeit complex, role in pediatric chronic illness. Unfortunately, very few psychosocial interventions are available to help these stressed families navigate the developmental steps of chronic illness. A new intervention (MEND) addresses the needs of these families and applies to a broad range of chronic illnesses. This article presents this family systems intervention as well as includes preliminary program evaluation data on 22 families that graduated from the program. Results show consistently strong effects across an array of psychosocial measures. Conclusions from this preliminary study suggest that families entering MEND present with high levels of stress due to the child's chronic illness, but after MEND, the level of stress and other functioning measures are comparable to those seen in healthy families, suggesting that the program offers a significant benefit to families with pediatric chronic illness.

Symptoms of emotional, behavioral, and social difficulties in the danish population of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes--results of a national survey

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of psychological difficulties in Danish children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes using both child/adolescent and caregiver reports, and to investigate associations between these symptoms and metabolic control, adherence, and quality of life.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD

A total of 786 children and adolescents (8-17 years) recruited through the Danish Registry of Childhood Diabetes completed subscales of the Beck's Youth Inventories (BYI-Y), while 910 caregivers completed the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The participants also completed questionnaires assessing adherence and quality of life. BYI-Y and SDQ responses were compared with results from normative samples.

RESULTS

Children with diabetes generally reported a lower level of symptoms of depression and anxiety, while older adolescents in most cases were comparable to the normative samples. However, the numbers of patients with elevated scores were similar to normative groups, especially regarding the proportion of participants with 'Extremely elevated' scores. Caregivers of children and adolescents with diabetes generally reported the prevalence of elevated scores on the SDQ to exceed the prevalence observed in the norm sample--particularly with regard to older boys. Both BYI-Y and SDQ responses were significantly correlated with HbA1c, adherence, and quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

This study finds Danish children and adolescents with diabetes to report lower or comparable levels of emotional difficulties compared to norms, while caregiver reports are less positive. The results therefore support the value of a multi-informant approach to the assessment of symptoms of psychological difficulty in girls and boys with diabetes.

Parent-child relationships in Type 1 diabetes: associations among child behavior, parenting behavior, and pediatric parenting stress

Interactions between parents and children can influence behavioral and emotional functioning related to Type 1 diabetes (T1D), yet have been relatively unexplored during preadolescence. The present study examined associations among child problem behaviors, critical parenting behaviors, and pediatric parenting stress in a sample of preadolescent youth with T1D. Data are available from 86 preadolescent-parent dyads who participated in the initial baseline assessment of a randomized controlled trial designed to assess the efficacy of an adherence promotion program. Measures included the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory, the Diabetes Family Behavior Checklist, and the Pediatric Inventory for Parents. After controlling for significant demographic and medical characteristics, parents who reported their child's behavior as more problematic reported more difficulty with pediatric parenting stress, which was also associated with more child-reported critical parenting behaviors. Child problem behaviors and critical parenting behaviors were associated with one another, partially via their association with increased pediatric parenting stress. Potential clinical applications include interventions geared toward helping parents manage difficult child behaviors as well as cope with pediatric parenting stress, with the ultimate goal of improving the parent-child relationship and management of T1D.

Good cop, bad cop: quality of parental involvement in type 1 diabetes management in youth

Sustained parental involvement in diabetes management has been generally advised to counteract the deteriorating adherence and glycemic control often seen during adolescence, yet until recently, little attention has been given to the optimal amount, type, and quality of parental involvement to promote the best health outcomes for adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This review synthesizes research regarding the involvement of caregivers-primarily mothers and fathers-of youth with T1D, with a focus on biopsychosocial outcomes. The recent literature on parental involvement in diabetes management highlights a shift in focus from not only amount but also the types (e.g., monitoring, problem-solving) and quality (e.g., warm, critical) of involvement in both mothers and fathers. We provide recommendations for ways that both parents can remain involved to facilitate greater collaboration in shared direct and indirect responsibility for diabetes care and improve outcomes in youth with T1D.

Tourette syndrome, parenting aggravation, and the contribution of co-occurring conditions among a nationally representative sample

BACKGROUND

Previous research suggests that parents of a child with Tourette Syndrome (TS) have lower self-concepts, higher caregiver burden, and more difficulties with home activities. However, the contributions of TS and mental, emotional, or behavioral (MEB) conditions to family functioning are difficult to identify from previous research due to relatively small TS sample sizes and high rates of co-occurring conditions within samples of children with TS.

OBJECTIVE

The current study hypothesized that families of children with TS would report significantly more family functioning difficulties (more parenting aggravation, more difficulty with coping with the child's care, less parent-child communication, and less consistent family routines). Specifically, co-occurring conditions would contribute substantially to reported parenting aggravation.

METHOD

Parent-reported data from the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health were analyzed, including whether the child had been diagnosed with TS or an MEB. Weighted analyses were restricted to US children 6-17 years of age (n = 64,034) and adjusted for child age, sex, race and ethnicity.

RESULTS

Parents of children with TS were more likely to fall into the high parenting aggravation index category compared with parents of children without TS (aPR = 3.8, 95% CI: 2.2-6.6). Controlling for the co-occurring MEB conditions attenuated the relations between TS and parenting aggravation; however, a significant effect for TS remained in some cases.

CONCLUSION

Parents of children with TS may face significant challenges in raising their children, leading to increased parenting aggravation; these challenges appear to be primarily associated with the presence of co-occurring MEB conditions.