MOTHERS’ PERCEPTION OF THEIR CHILDREN’S DIAGNOSIS WITH TYPE ONE DIABETES MELLITUS.

• Main Authors: Ilana Vanina Bezerra de Souza, Daniela Karina Antão Marques, Oneide Raianny Monteiro Lacerda, Neusa Collet
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal do Paraná 2011-03-01
• Series: Cogitare Enfermagem
• Subjects: Mothers; Diabetes mellitus; Child; Adolescent; Chronic illness
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.5380/ce.v16i1.21110

A child with Diabetes Mellitus needs their mother’s support, comprehension, confidence and protection, which facilitates compliance with treatment, contributing to quality of life during the progression of the illness. This study aimed to examine how a mother reacts when confronted with her child’s diagnosis. The methodology used was exploratory, descriptive and qualitative, using the technique of Collective Subject Discourse. Analysis showed that mothers show varying feelings of bereavement during the crises and, at the time of initial diagnosis, fall into despair. The worry mothers feel is linked with the constant decompensation episodes, which manifest the instability of the child’s metabolic situation, creating a greater risk of her developing complications. The search for information and adaptation in the family routine aim to improve the child/adolescent’s quality of life.