Psychological Well-being in Parents of Paediatric Patients with TD1. Role of Family Conflict and Parental Fear of Children’s Self-injecting on Their Glycaemic Control and Psychological Well-being

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to assess psychological well-being and life perceptions in parents of paediatric patients with T1D and to identify how the parents’ fear of children’s self-injecting and conflicts could influence the paediatric patients’ glycaemic control and well-being. Study Design: One-time point cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The participants were recruited from patients attending the Paediatric Department of the Hospital of Bolzano (Italy) in 2011–2012. Methodology: Paediatric patients (n=59) with a mean age of 13.19 years (SD=3.26, range 8-18) and their parents were contacted during the check-ups and self- and proxy-reported questionnaires were administered. Parents were principally represented by mothers (n=48), married (79.7%) and with a medium perceived economic situation (54.2%). Results: Glycaemic control was severely inadequate, especially if paediatric patients were older at the time of assessment and younger at diagnosis and if parents declared more conflicts with them. Parental fear about their child’s self-injection of insulin was identified as a key element impacting externalising/internalising symptoms and on worries about the illness. Conclusion: By examining family conflicts and parenting practices, it will be possible to set up specific psycho-social interventions to increase adolescents’ treatment adherence and to mitigate the family conflicts and fears that may arise in the context of the daily management of the illness.