The Effect of Spiritual Self-care Training on Stress and Anger Experienced by Mothers of Children with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Background: Mothers of children with type 1 diabetes often experience significant stress and anger. Spirituality is a promising source of support and an important dimension of self-care. Objectives: To determine the effect of spirituality-based self-care on the stress and anger of mothers of children with type 1 diabetes. Methods: A clinical trial was conducted in 2024 at the Diabetes Center of Imam Reza (AS) Specialized Clinic in Zabol, Iran. Seventy mothers were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 35) and control (n = 35) groups. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, the Parenting Stress Index, and the Spielberger Anger Expression Scale. The experimental group received a spirituality-based self-care training package over six sessions, while the control group received routine care. Stress and anger levels were measured before the intervention and three months afterward. Data were analyzed using chi-Square, or Fisher's Exact test, and independent t-tests via IBM SPSS version 23. Results: There was no significant difference in pre-test stress scores between groups (P = 0.220). Post-intervention stress scores also showed no significant difference (102.25 ± 6.22 vs. 99.25 ± 8.77; P = 0.104). Pre-test anger scores were not significantly different (P = 0.880); however, post-intervention anger scores differed significantly between groups (121.28 ± 5.97 vs. 134.20 ± 7.05; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Spirituality-based self-care interventions can effectively reduce anger in mothers of children with type 1 diabetes. Integrating such training into nursing practice is recommended. However, this intervention alone was insufficient to reduce stress, indicating the need for additional support strategies.