Coping strategies and well-being in parents of children with diabetes: Gender differences

The impact of caring for a child with diabetes seems to be different for fathers and mothers. This study examined the differences in coping strategies and emotional well-being between mothers and fathers of children with diabetes as well as the association between certain coping strategies and parents well-being. One hundred and three mothers and 63 fathers of children and adolescents with type I diabetes completed questionnaires en their coping strategies and emotional well-being. There was a significant gender effect in the use of coping strategies. Mothers were mere likely than fathers to seek social support, to use planful problem-solving and express negative emotions. For fathers, emotional expression and wishful thinking were associated with well-being. Among women, the expression of negative emotions was negatively associated with well-being. Results reveal the importance of assessing parents emotional well-being and exploring their coping styles in order to detect maladaptive strategies.