Comparison of Single-Mother and Two-Parent Families on Metabolic Control of Children With Diabetes
- Sanna J. Thompson, PHD,
- Wendy F. Auslander, PHD and
- Neil H. White, MD
- From the School of Social Work (S.J.T.), State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York; and the George Warren Brown School of Social Work (W.F.A.) and the Department of Pediatrics (N.H.W.), School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri.
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Sanna J. Thompson, PhD, School of Social Work, State University of New York at Buffalo, 685 Baldy Hall, Box 601050, Buffalo, NY 14260-1050. E-mail: sthompsn{at}buffalo.edu .
Abstract
OBJECTIVE— To understand the impact of family structure on the metabolic control of children with diabetes, we posed two research questions: 1) what are the differences in sociodemographic, family, and community factors between single-mother and two-parent families of diabetic children? and 2) to what extent do these psychosocial factors predict metabolic control among diabetic children from single-mother and two-parent families?
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— This cross-sectional study included 155 diabetic children and their mothers or other female caregivers. The children were recruited if they had been diagnosed with diabetes for at least 1 year, had no other comorbid chronic illnesses, and were younger than 18 years of age. Interviews and self-report questionnaires were used to assess individual, family, and community variables.
RESULTS— The findings indicate that diabetic children from single-mother families have poorer metabolic control than do children from two-parent families. Regression models of children's metabolic control from single-mother families indicate that age and missed clinic appointments predicted HbAlc levels; however, among two-parent families, children's ethnicity and adherence to their medication regimen significantly predicted metabolic control.
CONCLUSIONS— This study suggests that children from single-mother families are at risk of poorer metabolic control and that these families have more challenges to face when raising a child with a chronic illness. Implications point to a need for developing strategies sensitive to the challenges of single mothers.
Footnotes
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A table elsewhere in this issue shows conventional and Système International (SI) units and conversion factors for many substances.
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- Accepted October 19, 2000.
- Received March 21, 2000.
- by the American Diabetes Association, Inc.
