Abstract
Background: 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. Methods: 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). Results: 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. Conclusions: 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.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | S251-S261 |
| Journal | American Journal of Preventive Medicine |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 6 SUPPL. 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 2009 |
Funding
This research was supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, The Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Michigan, and by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (T32 HD007534 [Dr. Laroche]). Dr. Heisler is a Veteran's Affairs Health Services Research and Development Career Development awardee. REACH Detroit Partnership is funded by the CDC (US0/CCU417409). The authors acknowledge the generous support of the REACH Detroit Partnership Steering Committee and staff, Community Health and Social Services, Inc. (CHASS), and the University of Michigan School of Social Work. We thank the REACH family health advocates for their input. REACH Detroit is affiliated with the Detroit-Community Academic Urban Research Center. The authors also sincerely thank the families who freely gave of their time and insight. This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
