Anxiety, depressive, and posttraumatic stress symptoms in mothers of children with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of mothers' anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms triggered by their child's type 1 diabetes and identified individual diabetes-related traumatic stressors. Sixty mothers of children who had been diagnosed with diabetes within the past 5 years were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID) DSM-IV-PTSD module, and completed the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Fifteen percent of participants met criteria for partial and 10% for full PTSD. Fifty-five percent of participants identified hearing about their child's diagnosis as the traumatic stressor. Forty percent of participants reported moderate to severe symptoms of state-anxiety and 17% moderate to severe symptoms of depression. This study highlights the significant emotional impact this diagnosis in children can have on mothers, and identifies a population with clinical needs.

Caring for a child with Type 1 diabetes: Links between family cohesion, perceived impact, and parental adjustment.

“…Moreover, contrary to other studies, such as the study of Horsch et al (2007) that included parents of young children (1-16 years), our sample included parents of children aged 8 to 18…”

Brief report: Maternal posttraumatic stress symptoms are related to adherence to their child’s diabetes treatment regimen

“…Reporting on the same sample, Horsch et al (2007) found 10% of mothers to meet criteria for the diagnosis of PTSD, and a further 15% to meet criteria for the partial diagnosis (i.e., two out of three symptom clusters present) . The mean total score (frequency) for the PDS was 8.20…”

“…(SD = 8.90) (see Horsch et al, 2007 for more details). The mean score for the FRQ was 15.71 (SD = 8.39).…”

“…The final sample consisted of 60 mothers who completed a structured clinical interview and self-report questionnaires (participants and methods are described in detail in Horsch et al, 2007). First et al, 1995).The SCID-PTSD module is a standardised diagnostic interview consisting of 17 items, which was used to assess current DSM-IV-TR (APA, 2000) PTSD criteria.…”

Type I Diabetes in Children and Adolescents

“…These symptoms can include hypervigilance, resulting in an over-monitoring of their child's disease management or conversely, avoidance resulting in under-monitoring. Research has demonstrated that 10% of mothers of children who had diabetes met criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, while another 15% of mothers displayed some of the symptoms, partially meeting the criteria for this diagnosis (Horsch et al, 2007). Symptoms related to parental experiences of "PTSD" may increase, when the child has mental health problems in addition to his or her diabetes.…”