Family Stress and Resources: Potential Areas of Intervention in Children Recently Diagnosed with Diabetes

Abstract

This article examines the relationships among family stress, family capabilities, and the health status of 53 children diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Assessments were done at an outpatient diabetes clinic of family coping, resources, and stress; disease-related knowledge; metabolic control (HbA1); and endogenous insulin (C peptide). Results indicated that higher levels of family stress and lower levels of family resources as reported by fathers were significantly associated with poor metabolic control. Multiple regression analyses revealed that levels of family stress and resources were more strongly related to metabolic control than were disease variables such as C peptide levels. Moreover, family stress was directly associated with metabolic control, and family resources showed indirect linkages. Findings suggest that family stress and resources are potential areas for social work intervention in children recently diagnosed with diabetes.