Diabetes Mellitus in Children and Its Effect on Caregivers' Mental Health

Introduction Caring for a child with diabetes often has a negative effect on the mental health of caregivers and other family members. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of caring for children with diabetes on the mental health of caregivers. Materials and methods This case-control study was conducted in the National Institute of Child Health from October to November 2017 to compare the mental health effects associated with caring for children with diabetes as against caring for children without diabetes. The case group consisted of the caregivers of 60 children with diabetes, and the control group consisted of the caregivers of 60 children without diabetes. A validated questionnaire with two scales was used. Frequencies, percentages, confidence intervals, and p-values were reported for the categorical variables. The variables were analyzed using Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) scales to determine associations. Results In the case group, most caregivers were mothers, 60% had consanguineous marriages, 21.7% were employed, and 21.7% were suffering from a long-term illness. Of those reporting a disease, 13.3% reported a change in their disease. Most caregivers (71.7%) received family support, and 78.3% of caregivers had social support. Most caregivers in the case group had mild depression, and 35% had mild anxiety. In the control group, most caregivers were mothers, 5% were employed, and 35% had disease(s). Of those reporting a disease, 15% reported a change in their health. Most of the caregivers in the control group (93.3%) had family support, and 85% had social support. Most (62%) were found to have mild depression, and more than half had no anxiety. Most children in the control group were under five years old, and most children in the case group were over 10 years old. Nearly half of the children in the case group had a positive family history of thalassemia, and 68.3% of them have insulin administered once daily. Strong variables that affect caregiver mental health were caregiver age, health changes, and consanguinity. Conclusion The caregivers of children with diabetes have a higher incidence of anxiety compared with the caregivers of children without diabetes; depression was similar for both groups. Health care providers should be aware of the differences in parenting stress related to caring for children with long-term illnesses and should consider ways to help improve the well-being of