Long-Term Occupational Consequences for Families of Children With Type 1 Diabetes: The Mothers Take the Burden

Abstract

OBJECTIVE \n\nTo investigate the occupational and financial\nconsequences for parents following the onset of type 1 diabetes in their child.\n\n\nRESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS \n\nA\nquestionnaire assessing occupational and financial situations before and in the\nfirst year after the onset of diabetes was distributed to all families with a\nchild ≤14 years of age at diagnosis with a diabetes duration of at least 12\nmonths in nine German pediatric diabetes centers. \n\nRESULTS\n\nData of\n1,144 children (mean age at diagnosis 6.7 (3.6) years, 46.5% female) and their\nfamilies were obtained. Mothers’ occupational status reflected in paid working\nhours was significantly reduced in the first year after their child s diabetes\ndiagnosis (P < 0.001). Overall, 15.1%\nof mothers stopped working, and 11.5% reduced working hours. Mothers of\npreschool children were particularly affected. Fathers’ working status hardly\nchanged (P = 0.75). Nearly half of\nthe families (46.4%) reported moderate to severe financial losses. Compared to\nan earlier similar study in 2003, significant negative occupational\nconsequences for mothers and financial burden on families remain unchanged in\n2018 (P = 0.59 & 0.31,\nrespectively).\n\nCONCLUSIONS\n\nMothers\nof young children with newly diagnosed diabetes experienced negative\nconsequences in their occupational situation. This inequality for mothers can have\nlong-term negative consequences for their mental health and future economic situation.\nThere is an urgent need for action to reduce the burden on families and to\nprovide professional, social, and regulatory support especially for mothers of\nyoung children with diabetes.