The relationship between parental perceptions of diabetes and glycaemic control

Helen M. Pattison*, S. Moledina, T.G. Barrett

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Aim: To measure the relationship between perceived child competence, parental self-efficacy, and children's glycaemic control. Methods: Cross-sectional outpatient based questionnaire survey of 78 parents of children aged 6-12 years with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, diagnosed for at least one year. Parental perceptions of their child's competence were assessed, together with parental perceptions of their own self-efficacy in managing their child's diabetes. Glycaemic control was assessed by the average annual HbA 1C level. Results: The response rate was 64.5% (51 parents); 82% were mothers and the socioeconomic class and ethnicity spread was representative of the general population. The mean age of the children was 10 years and duration of diabetes 4.4 years. Poorer glycaemic control was associated with higher perceived child competence, together with lower perceived age of responsibility, lower perceived seriousness, and less frequent blood tests. Higher parental self-efficacy and higher perceived child competence predicted a higher level of normalisation, as did lower perceived seriousness, a lower perceived parental responsibility for management, and a less protective style of parenting. Conclusion: Parents' perceptions of their children's diabetes are significantly related to glycaemic control; however, those who appear more competent at managing diabetes may overestimate their child's capabilities, leading to poorer glycaemic control.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)487-490
Number of pages4
JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood
Volume91
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2006

Keywords

  • chronic disease
  • diabetes mellitus
  • parents
  • self efficacy
  • type 1 diabetes

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