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High-functioning families are more resilient in coping with diabetes
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Families that are high functioning in terms of adaptation, partnership, growth, affection and resolve tend to be more resilient in dealing with an adult family member’s diabetes, according to recent findings.
Kristine E. Batty, PhD, APRN, BC-ADM, CDE, of Diabetes Care and Solutions in Greenville, Rhode Island, and James A. Fain, PhD, RN, BC-ADM, FAAM, professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worchester, recruited 77 family members of an adult with diabetes from hospital-based diabetes education/support group programs and a private medical practice. Researchers sought to determine the impact of family resilience on families of adults with diabetes.
Participants were evaluated using four tools: the Family APGAR questionnaire; Family Resilience Assessment (FRA); the Life Orientation Test (LOT), which assesses optimism; and a Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT). A demographic form was also administered. The majority of the family members were female (71%) and white (97%), with an educational attainment of college or higher (79%).
ificant positive correlation (P < .01) between total family functioning score as assessed by APGAR and family resilience as measured by FRA. Similarly, significant positive associations were found between subscales of family functioning and family resilience. Researchers found that family functioning was the only predictor of family resilience, accounting for 46% of the variance (P < .01). No significant impact on the model was made by positive outlook or diabetes knowledge.
and 23, with a mean of 19. While no significant correlation was found between diabetes knowledge and family resilience, a significant low association was found between diabetes knowledge level and optimism (P < .05).
“The present study is important in that it provides evidence that the family of individuals with the diagnosis of diabetes is affected by the diagnosis,” the researchers wrote. “Investigating factors that influence how families with diabetes achieve resilience may lead to the development of interventions to help families live well in the face of diabetes. Future research should direct attention to the multiple factors of family functioning that play a role in family resilience and begin the development of an intervention to improve the health and well-being of adults with diabetes.” – by Jennifer Byrne
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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