Recursive Interplay of Family and Biological Dynamics: Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Under the Spotlight

Objectives: Diabetes Mellitus involves demanding challenges that interfere with family functioning and routines and expose family members to additional and continuous distress, that requires problem solving. This study aims to identify mutual influences of family systems and diabetes management. Design: Data was collected through a cross-sectional design comparing patients, aged 22-55, with and without metabolic control. Methods: Participants filled out a set of self-report measures of sociodemographic, clinical and family systems assessment. Patients (91) were also invited to describe their perception about disease management interference regarding family functioning. We first examined the extent to which family variables grouped dataset to determine if there were similarities and dissimilarities that fit with our initial diabetic groups’ classification. Results: Cluster analysis results identify a two-cluster solution validating initial classification of two groups of patients: 49 with metabolic control (MC) and 42 without metabolic control (NoMC). Independent sample tests suggested statistically significant differences between groups in some family subscales. Binary logistic regression shed light on specific predictors of explained variance to no metabolic control. Furthermore, groups differ on family support, level and sources of family conflict caused by diabetes management issues. Considering only patients who co-habit with a partner for more than one year (N=44), NoMC patients score lower on marital functioning. Discussion: Family-Chronic illness interaction plays a significant role in a patient’s adherence to treatment. This study highlights the Standards of Medical Care for Diabetes, considering caregivers and family members on diabetes care.