Impact of childhood type 1 diabetes on maternal work-family relations.

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to evaluate work-family conflict (WFC) and work-family facilitation (WFF) of working mothers of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) compared with those of working mothers of children under follow-up not requiring treatment and of healthy children, and to explore the impact of organizational resources and the characteristics of the child and his disease on this interface.

METHODS

The study included 157 working mothers: 50 mothers of children with T1D, 50 mothers of children on medical follow-up without chronic illness and 57 mothers of healthy children. The participants completed validated questionnaires including the WFC scale, WFF scale, organizational resources support scale, life and work satisfaction questionnaire, a background demographic questionnaire and a child health questionnaire. Mothers of children with T1D also completed a questionnaire relating to diabetes management.

RESULTS

Almost half of the mothers of children with T1D found it necessary to reduce their working hours or to change their workplace. This group also reported a significantly higher level of colleague support. There were no significant differences in WFC and WFF between mothers of children with T1D and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the effect of raising a T1D child on the mother's vocational behavior. Despite the additional burden, work is a source of enrichment for these mothers.