Cooperation between parents in caring for diabetic children: relations to metabolic control and parents' field-dependence-independence.

Aspects of parental interaction were assessed in 20 families with diabetic, insulin-dependent children, using hour-long video-taped interviews, the children being in optimal (O, n = 10) or poor (P, n = 10) metabolic control and showing optimal or poor psychological adaptation. In comparison with the O-group parents, the P-group parents were less appreciative of one another, were less congruent in their attitudes to diabetes care, and appeared not to respect their childrens' independence and integrity; the mothers were discontented with the support given them by their husbands; the children assumed less responsibility for managing their diabetes and seemed less confident during the interview. The results are interpreted in light of an earlier finding that the P-group fathers are more field-dependent (FD) than their wives while the opposite is true for the O-group fathers. With reference to evidence from the cognitive style literature, we suggest that the relatively FD P-group fathers have difficulties in acting as autonomous sources of support to their wives resulting in marital discord and a delayed transition from maternal to self care in their children.

Family therapy in poorly controlled juvenile IDDM: effects on diabetic control, self-evaluation and behavioural symptoms.

Diabetic control, behavioural symptoms and self-evaluation were assessed in 25 children with IDDM who were in poor metabolic control (P group), before and subsequent to one of two treatment conditions: family therapy and conventional treatment (C). In addition, data were collected from 12 patients in optimal control (O group). Prior to treatment the patients in poor control were rated higher than those in the O group for symptoms indicating somatization and internalization of conflict and showed a gloomier self-image. The O group patients had fewer behavioural symptoms and a more positive self-image than non-diabetic reference groups. Diabetic control improved after family therapy only. Furthermore, the family therapy group improved on a combined measure of behavioural symptoms and one aspect of self-evaluation (relations to parents and family). The results suggest that IDDM may either interfere with or foster the child's development towards autonomy, depending on family interaction patterns which affect the child's behaviour and self-esteem. Family therapy is a treatment option which can mediate improved diabetic control by changing family relationships to allow for a better balance between parental and self-care of the child with poorly controlled IDDM.

Diabetic children and their parents: personality correlates of metabolic control.

Test measures of field-dependence-independence and impulsiveness-control were obtained from two groups of diabetic children and their parents, the children being in optimal (O, n = 12) or poor (P. n = 27) metabolic control and, according to the judgment of clinicians, showing optimal or poor psychological adaptation. Children of the O-group scored lower in impulsiveness and higher in realistic functioning than those of the P-group. Differences which parallelled these were found between the two groups of fathers. The P-group fathers were decidedly more field-dependent than their wives, while the opposite was found for the O-group. Group differences of the kind obtained were seen as possible determinants of disturbed family interaction or emotional stress in the child in the P-group and of autonomy and self-reliance in the child in the O-group. It is concluded that the role of fathers of diabetic children has been underestimated.