Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences
Volume 23, Issue 3, 2009, Pages 482-489

Learning to live with a child with diabetes - Problems related to immigration and cross-cultural diabetes care (Article)

Povlsen L.* , Ringsberg K.C.
  • a Nordic School of Public Health, Box 12133, SE-40242 Göteborg, Sweden, Department of Paediatrics, Glostrup University Hospital, Denmark
  • b Nordic School of Public Health, Box 12133, SE-40242 Göteborg, Sweden

Abstract

Diabetes in childhood is a serious chronic disease. Having a different ethnic background is described as a risk factor for poor metabolic control and quality of life. The aim of the study was to explore variations in how parents living as immigrants in Denmark and in their native country had perceived learning to live with a child with diabetes. This was done in order to identify potential problems related to immigration and cross-cultural care which should be considered in the provision of diabetes care to immigrant families. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews with Arabic-speaking immigrant parents of six children with diabetes in Denmark and matched Egyptian parents of six children in Cairo. The children were 7-16 years old and had been diagnosed in 2003-2005. Data were analysed using a phenomenographic approach, focussing on describing variations in the parents' perceptions of the phenomenon 'Learning to live with a child with diabetes'. The findings show that the parents in the two countries shared many reactions and concerns, but that they responded and were affected in different ways. Above all, the immigrant parents experienced their parental role and the life of the child with diabetes, in a more doubtful and negative way. The findings further indicate that the establishment of a trustful relationship between the immigrant families and the health-care professionals should be given high priority. The study concludes that parents with an immigrant background are likely to require special pedagogic, psychological and social support to learn to adapt and come to terms with the diagnosis of a chronic disease in a child. © 2009 Nordic College of Caring Science.

Author Keywords

immigrant parents Children with type 1 diabetes Cross-cultural diabetes care Health education and support Health promotion Phenomenography Trust Egypt

Index Keywords

Denmark male female Emigration and Immigration Humans Cultural Characteristics cultural factor insulin dependent diabetes mellitus psychological aspect Parent-Child Relations Adolescent Article human Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 child parent relation migration Child

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-68949088189&doi=10.1111%2fj.1471-6712.2008.00644.x&partnerID=40&md5=d280ca36a0175760b3a3315225e047a8

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-6712.2008.00644.x
ISSN: 02839318
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English