Resilience characteristics of families with a child with type 1 diabetes

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A chronic illness such as type 1 diabetes does not only have an impact on the individual'sphysical and psychological well-being, but ultimately on the well-being of the family as awhole. The family typically fulfils the role of primary support structure for the diabetic child.Regardless of the physical and psychological challenges that form part of the illness, a largenumber of families are resilient. Families are able to adjust, adapt and cope adequately with avariety of life stressors. Consequently, this study aimed to identify and explore familyresilience characteristics that are associated with family adaptation after the diagnosis of achronic illness in a child. The Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation(McCubbin & McCubbin, 2001) served as theoretical framework for this study. Fifty-oneprimary caregivers represented families with a child with type 1 diabetes who was a patient ata big state hospital in the Western Cape, South Africa. The study used a mixed methodsapproach and it was expected from the participants to answer an open-ended question andcomplete four self-complete questionnaires. The dependent variable in the study is familyadaptation, measured with the Family Attachment and Changeability Index 8 (FACI8)(McCubbin & McCubbin, 2001). Based on the theory and previous studies, the followingindependent variables were used as measures: family hardiness (The Family Hardiness Index(FHI)), family patterns of communication (Family Problem Solving and Communication Scale(FPSC)) and family time spent together, as well as routines followed together (Family Timeand Routine Index (FTRI)). The results show that family resilience characteristics that aresignificantly correlated with family adaptation are affirming communication in the family; thefamily's willingness to accept change as positive; and family time spent together and routinesfollowed in the family. The most important resilience characteristic according to the qualitativedata is the support and information received from the paediatric diabetes specialist at thehospital. The family's religious beliefs, and support received from their church, also play asignificant role in their adaptation. This study contributes to the increasing need for and valueof positive psychology. The study also creates an opportunity to educate families and medicalpersonnel on the importance of implementing resilience characteristics in families to ensurebetter adaptation. Recommendations for future studies on resilience in families with a childwith type 1 diabetes are made.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University