Cooperation between parents in caring for diabetic children: relations to metabolic control and parents' field-dependence-independence.
Aspects of parental interaction were assessed in 20 families with diabetic, insulin-dependent children, using hour-long video-taped interviews, the children being in optimal (O, n = 10) or poor (P, n = 10) metabolic control and showing optimal or poor psychological adaptation. In comparison with the O-group parents, the P-group parents were less appreciative of one another, were less congruent in their attitudes to diabetes care, and appeared not to respect their childrens' independence and integrity; the mothers were discontented with the support given them by their husbands; the children assumed less responsibility for managing their diabetes and seemed less confident during the interview. The results are interpreted in light of an earlier finding that the P-group fathers are more field-dependent (FD) than their wives while the opposite is true for the O-group fathers. With reference to evidence from the cognitive style literature, we suggest that the relatively FD P-group fathers have difficulties in acting as autonomous sources of support to their wives resulting in marital discord and a delayed transition from maternal to self care in their children.
Rydén
O
O
Department of Applied Psychology, University of Lund, Sweden.
Johnsson
P
P
Nevander
L
L
Sjöblad
S
S
Westbom
L
L
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005220:Fathers; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D002096:C-Peptide; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin