The Greek family system when a child has diabetes mellitus type 1

Aim: To depict the characteristic ways that families who have a child suffering from diabetes and face difficulties with metabolic control function. In addition, to reveal the ways that this functioning is related to metabolic control problems. Methods: Qualitative methods were used, including an in‐depth interview and observation of 30 Greek families having one child suffering from diabetes mellitus type 1 and facing difficulties with metabolic control. An average of 10 meetings were conducted with each family, including separate meetings with each individual family member, the parental couple and the family as a whole. Methods were based on thematic categories provided by the model of the “psychosomatic family”. Results: The presence of the disease and the requirements of the treatment regimen seemed to be associated with certain family characteristics: enmeshed relationships, ambiguous roles and rules, break down of hierarchy, coalition between mother and patient, absence of father's involvement and “infantilization” of the suffering child. Also in such families, healthy siblings are assigned parental roles and, finally, the families present signs of social exclusion. Conclusion: The study provides important findings concerning the psychological characteristics of the families under study. The present ways of functioning are associated with the difficulties families face when coping with the treatment regimen.