Comparison of single-mother and two-parent families on metabolic control of children with diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the impact of family structure on the metabolic control of children with diabetes, we posed two research questions: 1) what are the differences in sociodemographic, family, and community factors between single-mother and two-parent families of diabetic children? and 2) to what extent do these psychosocial factors predict metabolic control among diabetic children from single-mother and two-parent families?


METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 155 diabetic children and their mothers or other female caregivers. The children were recruited if they had been diagnosed with diabetes for at least 1 year, had no other comorbid chronic illnesses, and were younger than 18 years of age. Interviews and self-report questionnaires were used to assess individual, family, and community variables.


RESULTS
The findings indicate that diabetic children from single-mother families have poorer metabolic control than do children from two-parent families. Regression models of children's metabolic control from single-mother families indicate that age and missed clinic appointments predicted HbA1c levels; however, among two-parent families, children's ethnicity and adherence to their medication regimen significantly predicted metabolic control.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that children from single-mother families are at risk of poorer metabolic control and that these families have more challenges to face when raising a child with a chronic illness. Implications point to a need for developing strategies sensitive to the challenges of single mothers.
Thompson
S J
SJ
School of Social Work, State University of New York at Buffalo, 14260-1050, USA. sthompsn@buffalo.edu
Auslander
W F
WF
White
N H
NH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D020954:Single-Parent Family; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin