Psychological Impact of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus on Parents of Children With Diabetes

Introduction Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic condition with a rising incidence worldwide in both developed and developing countries. A chronic and progressive disease, diabetes is a challenge for children, adolescents, and their parents because they need special support to keep it under control. A better understanding of the relationship of parental psychological responses to having a child with T1DM is necessary to guide clinical practice and future research. Aim The aim of this study is to assess the psychological well-being and quality of life of parents of children with T1DM and to examine the factors associated with parental psychological distress. Methodology A multicenter, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on children (≤14 years) with T1DM followed in endocrinology clinics across Saudi Arabia from January 2022 to December 2024. Parents completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 (DASS-21). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and comparative tests to evaluate associations between psychological distress and relevant factors. Results A total of 208 parents of children with T1DM participated in the study. The mean overall quality-of-life score was 43.7 ± 21.3, indicating a moderate impact on parental well-being. The mean DASS-21 score was 23.5 ± 16.9, with stress showing the highest subscale score (9.2 ± 5.9). Longer duration of the child's diabetes and father's age were significantly associated with higher parental DASS-21 scores (p = 0.032 and p = 0.023, respectively). Conclusion Parents of children with T1DM experience notable psychological distress and reduced quality of life. Longer disease duration and certain parental characteristics are associated with higher distress levels. These findings highlight the need for psychosocial support, early screening, and targeted interventions to support families managing childhood diabetes.