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ScholarWorks > HHS > OT > OJOT > Vol. 11 > Iss. 1 (2023)

 

Credentials Display

Evelina Wozniak, OTD, OTR/L; Lisa Cover, OTD, OTR/L; Yongyue Qi, PhD; Vanessa D. Jewell, PhD, OTR/L

Abstract

Background: Type 1 diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic childhood conditions that affects family roles, routines, and the ability to participate in meaningful occupations after a child’s diagnosis. Because of the complex health management routines required to ensure the safety and well-being of a child with type 1 diabetes, caregivers may experience decreased overall health and well-being.

Method: This sequential mixed-method study used a cross-sectional survey (n = 37) and phenomenological interviews (n = 6) to explore burden (the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers), quality of life (the WHO Quality of Life-BREF), and role engagement (a questionnaire) for caregivers of children living with type 1 diabetes.

Results: The findings suggest that as caregiver burden increased, quality of life decreased (r = -.73, p < 0.05). The caregivers described how caring for their children affected relationship maintenance with spouses, family, and friends; impacted their productive occupations involving work, home responsibilities, self-care, and finances; and revealed a pressing need for education and advocacy.

Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of supporting caregivers in their roles in providing diabetes management care to children with type 1 diabetes. Future research is needed to develop and test novel occupational therapy interventions aimed to simultaneously improve family-centered participation goals that support the medical management of diabetes care and the caregiver’s psychosocial well-being.

Comments

The authors declare that they have no competing financial, professional, or personal interest that might have influenced the performance or presentation of the work described in this manuscript.

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