Psychological outcomes in parents of children with type 1 diabetes and children admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU)

Ryan, Hayley (2023) Psychological outcomes in parents of children with type 1 diabetes and children admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Aims: The aim of this thesis portfolio was to examine the psychological impact of parenting a child who is chronically and/or severely unwell. Factors that contribute to psychological distress were also explored.

Design: This portfolio contains two main papers and supporting chapters. The first paper, a meta-analysis, reviewed the prevalence of depression in parents of children with Type 1 Diabetes. The second paper, an empirical study, examined the psychological impact of having a child admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). In this second paper, factors contributing to psychological distress were explored. The additional chapters include further information to support the two main papers, with an overall discussion and critical review to conclude the portfolio.

Results: The meta-analysis revealed that a significant proportion of parents with a child diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes met the diagnostic threshold for depression. The empirical paper indicated a high prevalence of parents who met the threshold for anxiety, depression, and low quality of life, following their child’s admission to a PICU. Furthermore, maladaptive appraisals and overprotectiveness, but not illness severity, were significantly associated with increased psychological distress in these parents.

Conclusions: Parents of children with a chronic illness and/or are severely unwell are vulnerable to developing anxiety, depression, and experience low quality of life. It is important for clinicians to screen for distress in these parents and offer appropriate psychological interventions. Early identification could enable the reduction of long-term distress, reducing the impact on the child, and thus improving the management of their condition.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	09 Nov 2023 09:23
Last Modified:	09 Nov 2023 09:23
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/93613
DOI:

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