Coping and social support of parents with a diabetic child

The purpose of this study is to describe and understand the parental coping and the social support received by the parents of diabetic children. The parental coping process was followed for a 4-week period after the diagnosis of diabetes. The parents of two girls, whose diabetes was diagnosed in early childhood, served as study subjects. Data were collected by interviewing and observing the parents over four separate periods. The data were analyzed by the time series and content analysis methods. Six phases of parental coping were identified: disbelief, lack of information and guilt, learning to care, normalization, uncertainty and reorganization. In the different phases of parental coping, the parents' experience of stress, coping strategies and sense of control varied. In the phase of disbelief, the parents tried to reject the child's diabetes by questioning the diagnosis. The initial information given to the parents regarding their child's diabetes proved to be important for parental coping. In the phase of lack of information and guilt, the parents sought reasons for their child's diabetes and felt guilty about it. As coping responses, the parents sought support from each other and from people who had experienced the same. In the learning to care phase, they recognized the demands caused by diabetes and took responsibility for the child's care. The parents appreciated supervision based on their problems. In the normalization phase, the parents prepared to return home with the diabetic child. Getting back to normal life was one of the most effective parental coping responses. In the uncertainty phase, the care to be given to the diabetic child changed the daily routines of the family. In the reorganization phase, the parents adapted to the diagnosis of diabetes and to the care of their diabetic child. The parents felt that the life of the family normalized and was able to be controlled.     

The role of social support in the self-management of diabetes mellitus among a Hispanic population

The rising incidence of diabetes mellitus continues to be a major health concern among Hispanic Americans. Social support has been found to be a relevant factor in diabetes self-management, however, it has not been explored within a Hispanic community. This cross-sectional study was therefore conducted with 95 insulin-requiring Hispanic adults to explore the composition of the support network, the type of assistance needed, the degree of satisfaction with support received, and the relationship between social support and diabetes self-management. Overall, the participants had fairly large networks, composed primarily of family members. The greatest need for assistance was associated with transportation or interactions that involved speaking English, and the assistance offered in these areas was viewed as highly satisfactory. Participants were least satisfied with the help they received for diabetes-related self-care, personal care, and financial assistance. Social support was not strongly related to diabetes self-management. Community health nurses must be aware that this population may have needs that are unsatisfactorily met. They should provide education and resources for support persons and carefully evaluate the support network, not only for availability, but also for satisfaction. Effort should also be directed toward developing alternative support for those without available family.     

2型糖尿病患者社会支持与D型人格的相关性研究

目的 了解D型人格在2型糖尿病患者中的分布,探讨其与社会支持水平的关系.方法 采用便利抽样法选取196例住院2型糖尿病患者为研究对象,采用一般资料调查表、D型人格量表、领悟社会支持量表进行调查,比较并分析D型人格与非D型人格患者社会支持情况.结果 D型人格患者82例,占41.8％;2型糖尿病患者领悟社会支持量表总分为(...     

运用小组工作方法开展脑瘫患儿家长社会康复的探索

目的探讨开展脑瘫患儿家长的社会康复的方法。方法对28名脑瘫患儿家长以治疗小组的工作模式进行小组活动和建立自助网络。用团体满意度自我评估表进行评定。结果各项目平均得分7．01～8．15分。结论小组工作方式可以提升脑瘫患儿和家长人格品质发展，优化心理素质。     

社会支持对原发性肝癌合并糖尿病患者生活质量的影响

目的探讨原发性肝癌合并糖尿病患者的社会支持状况及其对生活质量的影响,为改善此类特殊人群的生活质量提供依据。方法采用社会支持评定量表和简明生活质量量表,对90例原发性肝癌合并糖尿病患者进行问卷调查,并分析其相关性。结果与单纯原发性肝癌患者相比,原发性肝癌合并糖尿病患者生活质量较差（P＜0.05）; 原发性肝癌合并糖尿病患者获得较高的社会支持（P＜0.05）; 社会支持与原发性肝癌合并糖尿病患者生活质量呈正相关关系（P＜0.05）。结论社会支持与原发性肝癌合并糖尿病患者的生活质量密切相关,护士应该重视社会支持系统对提高原发性肝癌合并糖尿病患者生活质量的作用,并有效利用。     

Computer-mediated support group intervention for parents.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a computer-mediated support group (CMSG) intervention for parents whose children had been diagnosed with cancer. DESIGN AND METHODS: An evaluative one-group, before-and-after research design. A CMSG, an unstructured listserve group where participants used their E-mail for communication, was conducted over a 4-month period. Participation in the CMSG was offered to parents in Iceland whose children had completed cancer treatment in the past 5 years. Outcome measures were done: before the intervention (Time 1), after 2 months of intervention (Time 2) and after 4 months of intervention (Time 3) when the project ended. Measures included: demographic and background variables; health related vulnerability factors of parents: anxiety, depression, somatization, and stress; perceived mutual support; and use of the CMSG. Data were collected from November 2002 to June 2003. Twenty-one of 58 eligible parents participated in the study, with 71% retention rate for both post-tests. FINDINGS: Mothers' depression decreased significantly from Time 2 to Time 3 (p<.03). Fathers' anxiety decreased significantly from Time 1 to Time 3 (p<.01). Fathers' stress decreased significantly from Time 2 to Time 3 (p<.02). To some extent, mothers and fathers perceived mutual support from participating in the CMSG. Both mothers and fathers used the CMSG by reading messages. Messages were primarily written by mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings support further development of CMSGs for parents whose children have been diagnosed with cancer. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Using computer technology for support is particularly useful for dispersed populations and groups that have restrictions on their time. Computer-mediated support groups have been shown to be a valuable addition to, or substitute for, a traditional face-to-face mutual support group and might suit both genders equally.     

The benefits of peer support with diabetes

TOPIC: Peer coaching for diabetes support. purpose. To see if peer coaching assists a person with diabetes make the correct diet and activity choices. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Journal articles, Internet. CONCLUSIONS: Peer support is helpful for people who are struggling to cope with diabetes. If peer support is offered, a structured follow-up program needs to be in place.     

Testing a bioecological model to examine social support in postpartum adolescents.

PURPOSE: The purpose was twofold and included examining a bioecological model as a framework to describe social support in postpartum adolescents. The second purpose was to determine the relationship between a comprehensive view of the context of social support and symptoms of depression. DESIGN: Cross-sectional design with convenience sampling (n=85) of adolescents at 4-6 weeks postpartum, recruited from two community hospitals. METHODS: Approval was received from the university's IRB (institutional review board), each recruitment site, the adolescent mothers, and their parents or guardians. Data were collected by a research assistant during home visits using a battery of self-report instruments to measure macro, meso, and microsystems of social support. Demographics, exposure to community violence (macrosystem), social support, social network (mesosystem), and perceived stress, mastery, and self-esteem (microsystem) were predictor variables. Depressive symptoms were measured by using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies of Depression (CES-D) Scale. FINDINGS: Variables from each system were significant predictors of depressive symptoms but perceived stress was the strongest predictor. Many postpartum adolescents reported that they had been victims of violence. Significant symptoms of depression were identified in 37% of the postpartum adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Context is important to consider in comparing international studies of social support. Researchers and clinicians should investigate variables associated with the low incidence of treatment for depressive symptoms in postpartum adolescents. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Feelings of high self-esteem and mastery should be fostered in nursing interventions with postpartum adolescents and routine screening for symptoms of depression should be considered in relevant healthcare settings.     

Types and sources of social support for people afflicted with cancer

Abstract The social support network of adults afflicted with cancer related to sexual organs and the breasts was assessed in this study. Two hundred and eighteen respondents completed the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire. The social support network of adults with cancer was found to include the following: spouses/partner, family, friends, other non‐professionals and professionals. The average number of people in each network was about eight. Overall, the respondents reported a high amount of perceived total functional support concerning affect, affirmation and aid. The difference between being male or female and being married or not was statistically significant. There was no difference in the perception of support between married and unmarried respondents. The majority of the respondents were married. Women scored higher in emotional support than did men, and this difference was statistically significant. Having children and grandchildren also showed significant differences according to social support. The duration of the relationship with network members ranged from less than 6 months to more than 5 years.     

老年痴呆患者主要照顾者照顾负荷水平与社会支持相关性研究

目的:探讨老年痴呆患者主要照顾者照顾负荷水平与社会支持的相关性。方法:采用照顾负荷量表(CBI)和社会支持评定量表(SSRS)对108例老年痴呆患者的主要照顾者进行调查。结果:老年痴呆患者主要照顾者的负荷总得分为(49.13±4.41)分,前三位分别是时间依赖性负荷(17.14±1.76)、发展受限性负荷(11.32±1.79)和身体性负荷(8.64±1.07)。社会支持总分为(27.53±3.7)分,低于全国常模。照顾者照顾负荷总得分与社会支持利用度、主观支持、客观支持均呈负相关(P<0.01)。结论:护理人员应重视老年痴呆患者主要照顾者的负荷与社会支持状况,通过健康促进、护理支持,提高其社会支持水平,减轻照顾负荷,提高患者与照顾者双方生活质量。