Family life and diabetic control.

Seventy two children with diabetes and their parents were studied to examine the relationship between family functioning and diabetic control. Children in families characterised by cohesion, emotional expressiveness, lack of conflict and a mother satisfied with her marriage, had better diabetic control than children living in families with opposing characteristics. Children living with both biological parents or with a single parent had significantly better diabetic control than those living with a step-parent or adoptive parents. There was no relationship between social class, family income, employment status or educational attainment of either parent, and diabetic control.