Maternal health-related coping patterns and health and adjustment outcomesin children with type 1 diabetes

Parental coping patterns can influence health outcomes of a child with a ch ronic illness. As part of a longitudinal study of 8- to 13-year-old childre n with newly diagnosed diabetes, we examined the relation between maternal health-related coping strategies and rehospitalizations and psychopathology in the child with diabetes. Forty-two pairs of children and their mothers were evaluated separately by means of a comprehensive assessment battery in cluding a semistructured psychiatric interview, self-rated questionnaires, and overall diabetes course and management. Although results of this study suggest that mothers' coping patterns have no detectable impact on short-te rm health outcomes of children with diabetes, mothers considered maintainin g family integration and understanding the medical situation as very helpfu l coping strategies. Suggestions for research using a longer follow-up peri od and implications for health care providers are discussed.