Influence of caregiver stress and coping on glycemic control of young children with diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this research was to examine the influence of caregiver stress, perceived stress and coping on home management and glycemic control of young children with type 1 diabetes.

METHOD: A correlational design of 73 conveniently sampled caregivers of children younger than 9 years of age receiving routine care in an urban hospital diabetes clinic completed the Problem Areas in Diabetes Survey, the Appraisal of Diabetes Scale, the Coping Health Inventory for Parents, and the Diabetes Self-Management Profile. Data were analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation.

RESULTS: Higher caregiver stress was associated with lower Hgb A(1c) levels. Higher levels of home management were associated with lower Hgb A(1c). No significant relationship was noted between caregiver coping and home management.

DISCUSSION: Caregivers managing their child's type 1 diabetes rated themselves as having stress, and those able to maintain their child's glycemic control indicated higher levels of perceived stress. It is essential that practitioners assess caregiver stress regardless of the child's apparent glycemic control.