Children's roles in parents' diabetes self-management

Helena H Laroche; Matthew M Davis; Jane Forman; Gloria Palmisano; Heather Schacht Reisinger; Cheryl Tannas; Michael Spencer; Michele Heisler

doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2009.08.003

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Children's roles in parents' diabetes self-management

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Children's roles in parents' diabetes self-management

Helena H Laroche, Matthew M Davis, Jane Forman, Gloria Palmisano, Heather Schacht Reisinger, Cheryl Tannas, Michael Spencer and Michele Heisler

American journal of preventive medicine, Vol.37(6 Suppl 1), pp.S251-S261

12/2009

DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2009.08.003

PMCID: PMC2811065

PMID: 19896027

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Abstract

Family support is important in diabetes self-management. However, children as providers of support have received little attention. This study examines the role of children in their parents' diabetes self-management, diet, and exercise. This research used community-based participatory research principles. Researchers conducted semi-structured parallel interviews of 24 Latino and African-American adults with diabetes and with a child (aged 10-17 years) in their home (2004-2006). Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for themes (2004-2007). Adults and children perceived that children play many roles related to adults' diabetes self-management. Parents described children as monitoring parents' dietary intake and reminding them what they should not be eating. Some children helped with shopping and meal preparation. Families described children reminding parents to exercise and exercising with their parents. Children reminded parents about medications and assisted with tasks such as checking blood sugar. Parents and children perceived that children played a role in tempting parents to stray from their diabetes diet, because children's diets included food that parents desired but tried to avoid. Children and parents perceived that children have many roles in both supporting and undermining adults' diabetes self-management. There is more to learn about the bi-directional relationships between adults and children in this setting, and the most beneficial roles children can play. Healthcare providers should encourage family lifestyle changes, strengthen social support for families, and direct children toward roles that are beneficial for both parent and child without placing an unreasonable level of responsibility on the child.

African Americans

Exercise

Health Behavior

United States - epidemiology

Life Style

Humans

Middle Aged

Hispanic Americans

Social Support

Male

Data Collection

Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring - methods

Diabetes Mellitus - therapy

Adolescent

Adult

Female

Aged

Parent-Child Relations

Self Care - methods

Child

Diabetes Mellitus - psychology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Children's roles in parents' diabetes self-management
Creators: Helena H Laroche - Department of Internal Medicine,Division of General Medicine, University of Iowa, VA Medical Center, 601 Highway 6 West, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA. Helena-laroche@uiowa.edu
Matthew M Davis
Jane Forman
Gloria Palmisano
Heather Schacht Reisinger
Cheryl Tannas
Michael Spencer
Michele Heisler
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of preventive medicine, Vol.37(6 Suppl 1), pp.S251-S261
DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2009.08.003
PMID: 19896027
PMCID: PMC2811065
NLM abbreviation: Am J Prev Med
ISSN: 0749-3797
eISSN: 1873-2607
Grant note: US0/CCU417409 / PHS HHS K23 HL093354 / NHLBI NIH HHS T32 HD007534-06 / NICHD NIH HHS T32 HD007534 / NICHD NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 12/2009
Academic Unit: Center for Social Science Innovation; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984094338902771

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