Low parental stress and positive well-being in Finnish children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Abstract

Introduction: Given the limited knowledge about family dynamics and well-being among pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Finland, this study aimed to assess parental stress, patient well-being, and their potential associations with glycemic control at a Finnish diabetes clinic.

Research design and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 199 children (aged 1-16 years) using a background information questionnaire, the Parenting Stress Index Short Form (PSI-4-SF), and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5) questionnaire.

Results: The mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level was 7.7% (61 mmol/mol), and the time in range (TIR) was 55.4%. Parents reported low stress levels (PSI total stress: median=31, IQR=12-55, n=133), with no significant correlation between parental stress and children's glycemic control. However, parents of children aged <7 years reported higher stress levels, which correlated with better metabolic control in children (HbA1c: rho=-0.86; TIR: rho=0.78; n=9). The mean WHO-5 score for all children was good (70; IQR=64-80, n=180). Their WHO-5 did not correlate with HbA1c (rho=-0.08, n=180) but correlated positively with TIR (rho=0.17, p=0.038, n=156).

Conclusions: Better glycemic stability in children, as measured by TIR, correlated with well-being. Additionally, higher parental stress in young children was linked to better metabolic control in their children. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating psychosocial aspects into the care of pediatric patients with T1D.