Psychosocial Aspects of Caregiving That Influence Stress and Burden Among Parents of Children With Type 1 Diabetes

This study aimed to examine the stress and burden experienced by parents of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

A quantitative cross-sectional approach was used, including the results from an online questionnaire about stress and burden in parents of children (10-17 years) with T1D.

The data were collected using the Swedish-translated version of the Parental Stress Scale and the Zarit Scale of Caregiver Burden, analysed and presented through descriptive and inferential statistics.

Parents with a university education reported lower stress, burden, role strain, and personal strain but higher satisfaction compared to those with a high school education. Cohabiting participants reported lower stress than singles (d = 0.301), though these differences were not statistically significant. No significant differences were found regarding age, number of children, or place of living. Satisfaction was negatively correlated with stress, personal strain, and role strain, while stress was positively correlated with personal and role strain.

Parents with higher education and greater caregiving satisfaction reported lower stress, while single parents and those experiencing high role strain were most vulnerable. These findings highlight the importance of family-centered interventions and accessible psychosocial support to reduce stress and enhance outcomes for children with T1D.

The findings highlight the importance of identifying parents who need support in medical, educational, emotional, and psychological areas. Healthcare professionals must implement family-centered interventions to create a supportive environment and enhance health outcomes for the entire family.