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Family stress and metabolic control in diabetes
R Viner1, M McGrath, P Trudinger
1Child and Family Therapy Unit, Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
Insights
Family stress negatively impacts metabolic control in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). However, strong family social support can mitigate these adverse effects, improving health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Psychology
Background:
- Clinical assumption suggests stress negatively impacts metabolic control in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
- Previous research has not consistently confirmed this in pediatric populations.
- Understanding family dynamics is crucial for managing pediatric IDDM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between family life stress, social support, and metabolic control (HbA1c) in children and adolescents with IDDM.
- To determine if social support moderates the impact of stress on metabolic control.
- To examine these relationships in different age groups within the pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study design.
- Involved 43 children and adolescents diagnosed with IDDM and their families.
- Assessed family life stress, family social support, and metabolic control via HbA1c levels.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was observed between high family life stress and elevated HbA1c levels in the entire cohort (n=43).
- This correlation was also significant in the subgroup of children under 12 years (n=27).
- Family social support did not directly correlate with HbA1c but demonstrated a buffering effect against the negative impact of family stress.
Conclusions:
- Family stress is a significant factor affecting metabolic control in pediatric IDDM.
- Adequate family social support plays a crucial role in mitigating the detrimental effects of stress on metabolic outcomes.
- These findings highlight the importance of family-centered interventions in managing IDDM in children and adolescents.
Abstract:
The common clinical assumption that stress has a deleterious effect on metabolic control in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) has not been confirmed in children and adolescents. This cross sectional study of 43 children and adolescents with IDDM and their families examined the relations between family life stress, family social support, and metabolic control. High family life stress was found to be strongly correlated with HbA1c in the whole group (n = 43) and in children under 12 years (n = 27) when considered separately. Family social support was not found to be directly related to HbA1c, but was found to buffer the effects of family life stress. These findings support the hypotheses that family stress affects metabolic control in IDDM and that good social support buffers these deleterious effects.