Caring Under Constraints: A Qualitative Study of Parental Needs in Pediatric Diabetes in Zabol

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences and support needs of parents caring for children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in Zabol, Iran, a rural and resource-scarce region.

A qualitative phenomenological design was employed with 36 parents (25 mothers and 11 fathers) of children aged 4-17 years who had lived with T1DM for at least 6 months. Semistructured interviews were conducted in Persian, transcribed, translated, and thematically analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-step framework, in accordance with Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) reporting guidelines.

Three overarching themes emerged. Parents reported emotional and practical support gaps, including caregiver exhaustion, lack of respite opportunities, and limited guidance. They described social isolation and stigma driven by cultural misconceptions such as viewing diabetes as a curse, which led to exclusion of both parents and children. Families also faced healthcare system challenges, including limited specialist access, insufficient diabetes education, financial strain (2-15 million IRR monthly), and inadequate resources, all exacerbated by rural isolation.

Parents of children with T1DM in Zabol experience substantial unmet emotional, social, and systemic needs. Addressing these challenges requires structured peer support, culturally sensitive community education to reduce stigma, and expanded access to affordable healthcare. These findings provide a foundation for developing targeted interventions to strengthen resilience and improve outcomes among families in underserved rural regions.