Psychosocial adjustment of young offspring in the context of parental type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review

Abstract

What's new?• Although diabetes like other serious medical conditions impacts family members, with young offspring being particularly vulnerable, this review identified only 10 studies which met inclusion criteria that examined the adjustment of youth to parental type 1 and type 2 diabetes.• This is the first systematic review of research on the psychosocial outcomes in youth of parents with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It identified research gaps and methodological issues to be addressed by future studies in this field.• In view of the dearth of research in this area, it is not possible to draw robust evidenced-based conclusions about young offspring psychosocial adjustment to parental diabetes. However, there was weak evidence suggesting some youth are at risk of adjustment difficulties in the context of parental diabetes, which warrants the attention of future research.

A Model of the Effects of Parental Illness on Youth Adjustment and Family Functioning: The Moderating Effects of Psychological Flexibility on Youth Caregiving and Stress

“…Furthermore, given the ongoing increase in numbers of adults living with a serious medical condition worldwide, the number of youth affected by parental illness is likely to steadily rise [ 3 , 4 ]. Parental illness is associated with a significantly higher risk for youth mental and physical health problems, poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and social, educational and employment difficulties that persist well into adulthood [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Moreover, having a parent with a chronic illness is related to a significantly higher risk for internalizing problems (e.g., depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms), externalizing problems (e.g., aggressive and delinquent behaviors), lower life satisfaction, and loneliness [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

A comparison of negative affect and disinhibited eating between children with and without parents with type 2 diabetes

“…Chronic illness in parents may result in psychological distress in offspring, including greater anxiety and depressive symptoms from an increase in daily hassles/responsibilities put on the child and perceived stress of parent's illness 54 . However, data regarding offspring's well‐being specifically surrounding parental T2D are limited and heterogeneous 55 …”

Parental Chronic Illness, Internalizing Problems in Young Adulthood and the Mediating Role of Adolescent Attachment to Parents: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…Adolescents whose parents are chronically ill are significantly more likely to show internalizing problems (i.e., anxious, depressed, and withdrawn behaviors and somatic complaints) than other children (5,8,(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). While in the general population, adolescent females show more internalizing symptoms than males (19)(20)(21), a meta-analysis found that sex differences regarding internalizing problems in children with parental chronic illnesses are negligible (5).…”

“…While in the general population, adolescent females show more internalizing symptoms than males (19)(20)(21), a meta-analysis found that sex differences regarding internalizing problems in children with parental chronic illnesses are negligible (5). Knowledge of the longitudinal effects of parental chronic illness is scarce and inconsistent; however, some studies have indicated that the increased risk of internalizing symptoms persists into adulthood (14,22). Hence, research into potential mediating and moderating factors in the pathways between parental chronic illness and internalizing symptoms in adolescents as they transition into adulthood is essential for developing effective interventions for families experiencing parental illness (12,18,23).…”