Comparison of Psychological Health in Mothers of Diabetic and Leukemic Children and Control Group

Abstract

Background: Parents’ psychological health is one of the most important factors to obtain health in children with chronic disease. Objectives: In this paper, we intended to evaluate and compare psychological health in parents of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and Leukemic children with control group and estimate the effect of the type of disease on parents’ psychological health and if possible recommend means to improve it. Patients and Methods: Three groups of mothers (30 people per group) were evaluated. T1DM children’s mothers, Leukemic children’s mothers and control group were chosen from mothers of children who came to Hazrat Aliasghar Emergency Room without any underlying diseases. The samples were asked to fill SCL-90-R and FBIS questionnaires. In addition, other forms were filled for their demographic characteristics. Results: The abbreviation (GSI) score in Leukemic children’s mothers was higher than T1DM children’s mothers and both groups had higher GSI compared with the control group. Conclusions: Parental functioning and wellbeing are important aspects of a family adaptation to chronic pediatric conditions. Moreover, psychological interventions were recommended to patients.