Factors Related to Behavioral Functioning in Mothers of Children with Type 1 Diabetes: Application of Transactional Model of Stress and Coping.

Abstract

BackgroundHaving a child with diabetes creates a great deal of stress for mothers. The transactional model of stress and coping is one of the best conceptual frameworks for stressors.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate factors related to health promoting behaviors based on transactional model in mothers of children with type 1 diabetes.MethodsThis study was conducted on 180 mothers of children with type 1 diabetes. The data was collected using a multi-sectional questionnaire including demographic characteristics and questions about the model constructs. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 19) and using statistical tests.ResultsThe highest mean score was related to interpersonal relationships (13.8 ± 4.5) and the lowest was related to stress management (10.8 ± 4.2). Linear regression model showed that mother’s education, information seeking, and social support had a positive effect, and primary appraisal and emotion-focused coping had a negative effect on the mother’s health promotion behaviors. In the regression model R-square accounts for 53.7% of the variance.ConclusionsThe transactional model was an appropriate framework for explaining the coping outcomes in mothers of children with type 1 diabetes. By mothers’ attempts to improve attitude about diabetes and reduce their vulnerability, training to use coping strategies, increasing information and inter-sectoral interventions for attracting sufficient support from patients’ families can be hopeful in improving mothers’ behavioral Functioning.