The impact of managing school-aged children's diabetes: The role of child behavior problems and parental discipline strategies

Anna C. Wilson, Wendy M. DeCourcey, Kurt A. Freeman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Models of diabetes management in children emphasize family relationships, particularly parent-child interactions. In adolescents, parental involvement in disease-specific management relates to better health and adherence. However, information about parental involvement in disease management for young children is limited and mixed. This study investigated behavior problems of school-aged children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) in association with parent discipline strategies and parents' perceptions of (1) time spent managing diabetes and (2) the impact their child's diabetes has on their discipline strategies. Parents of children ages 5-12 with T1DM completed standardized measures of child misbehavior, parent discipline strategies, and responded to questions regarding perceived time spent managing diabetes, and perceived impact of diabetes on ability to discipline. Results showed child mealtime misbehavior was common and associated with overreactive parental discipline. Further, overreactive discipline was also associated with reports of less time spent managing child's illness. Child misbehavior was positively associated with parents' perceived amount of time spent managing diabetes and with the impact of child diabetes on discipline. Findings suggest the importance of considering parent discipline strategies and child misbehavior when working with young children with diabetes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)216-222
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings
Volume16
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009

Keywords

  • Diabetes
  • Discipline
  • Illness management
  • Parenting

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The impact of managing school-aged children's diabetes: The role of child behavior problems and parental discipline strategies'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this