Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: parents' psychological wellbeing, sibling empathy and the quality of the sibling relationship

This portfolio thesis comprises three parts: a systematic literature review, an empirical study and a set of appendixes.Part one is a systematic literature review, in which the literature pertaining to factors that impact on the psychological wellbeing of parents of children with type 1 diabetes is reviewed. The review begins with an overview of the research relating to parents of diabetic children, which is followed by a rationale for why this review would be an interesting addition to the literature. The paper then describes the methods used to collect the relevant studies. The review synthesises the results in a way which makes it clear which factors impact on each measure of psychological wellbeing. An overview of the findings is then given. The paper closes with limitations of the review, suggestions for future research and conclusions.Part two is a preliminary pilot study in which empathy and sibling relationships are the focus. This cross-sectional study explores empathy and the quality of the sibling relationship as perceived by diabetic children, their healthy siblings and siblings in which both children are physically healthy. Based on Furman and Burhmester's (1985) model of the determinants of the quality of sibling relationships, the study moves on to explore the predictive effect of empathy on children's perceptions of their sibling relationship. The paper presents the findings and conclusions before discussing the clinical implications and the pilot study's limitations.Part three is a set of appendixes to support the work in the first two parts. It also contains a reflective account to explore the process of developing this portfolio thesis