"...importance of fathers' and monitoring in diabetes management..."

[Ellen]

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/dc07-1678v1

Original Research

The Role of Parental Monitoring in Understanding the Benefits of Parental Acceptance on Adolescent Adherence and Metabolic Control of Type 1 Diabetes

Cynthia A. Berg, Ph.D.1, Jorie M. Butler, Ph.D.1, Peter Osborn, M.A.1, Gary King1, Debra L. Palmer, Ph.D.2, Jonathan Butner, Ph.D.1, M. Murray, M.D.3, R. Lindsay, M.D.3, D. Donaldson, M.D.3, C. Foster, M.D.3, M. Swinyard, M.D.4 and Deborah J. Wiebe, Ph.D.5

1Department of Psychology, University of Utah
2Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
3Department of Pediatrics University of Utah School of Medicine
4Mike T. Swinyard, MD, PC, Utah
5University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Cynthia.berg@psych.utah.edu (Cynthia.berg@psych.utah.edu)
ABSTRACT

Objective: The study examined 1) whether the benefits of mothers' and fathers' accepting relationships with their adolescents on diabetic control were due to parental monitoring and 2) how parents together may provide sufficient acceptance and monitoring for diabetes management.
Research Design and Methods: Adolescents aged 10-14 with type 1 diabetes (n = 185) and their mothers (n=185) and fathers (n =145) completed assessments of parental acceptance and monitoring of diabetes tasks. Adolescents completed a modified version of the Self-Care Inventory (1) to measure adherence. Glycosolated hemoglobin (HbA1c) scores were used as a marker of glycemic control.

Results: Mediational analyses revealed that the benefits of adolescents' reports of fathers' acceptance on HbA1c and mothers' and fathers' acceptance on better adherence were partially mediated by monitoring. Both mothers' and fathers' monitoring and fathers' acceptance had independent effects in predicting adherence. However, only fathers' monitoring had an independent effect on HbA1c. The effect of fathers' monitoring on HbA1c occurred as fathers were monitoring at a lower level than mothers. Mothers' and fathers' reports of their own acceptance and monitoring were not associated with HbA1c or adherence.
Conclusions: Results reveal the importance of fathers' acceptance and monitoring in diabetes management, a role that should be encouraged, despite the little attention it has received.

[Bsbllmom]

All I can say is............Thank you Ellen.:cwds:

[Jacob'sDad]

I don't understand all the technical mumbo jumbo but it sounds like they're saying I'm doing something right.

[zell828]

LOL...I agree that fathers should have an active role. I have never had any trouble with my husband. He has always had an active role in our kids lives from the beginning with changing diapers, getting up at night, preparing meals, etc. He is just as equally active now with his D child and testing/giving insulin. He is great :D

[hawkeyegirl]

That's really interesting, Ellen. I think it only makes sense that kids would take self-monitoring more seriously if BOTH parents are involved in the process.

[jdr]

I couldn't imagine not having a role,I guess I'm overly obsessed if anything.

[spamid]

Makes sense to me... what does this mean for those of us doing it alone?

[Ella's mom]

Well this is a big issue for me. My problem is that I can chug along and then finally get feed up with his lack of involvment.

I know he can't read my mind, but after 4 years with diabetes I would hope/think he would clue in and be more of help. How do I get past the annonying fact that I have to ask for his help? When we do talk together of how I would like him to be more involved he does for that day- inwhich I tell him thank-you. Then he slacks off once again and it is another convo of can you please help me.....the cycle continues from there:rolleyes:

Ok I am finding my shoulders are crepping up to my ears.....going to end this post before I start seeing red...lol!