The Study of the Perceived Social Support and Its Relationship with Glycosylated Hemoglobin in Children and Adolescents Suffering from Type I Diabetes

Abstract Background Many sufferers of Type I Diabetes, as they are young, need support in order to be able to continue their care; therefore, to have social support could have a role in improving the metabolic control. Accordingly, the present study was done in order to determine the perceived social support and its relationship to the glycosylated hemoglobin in the children and adolescents who suffer from the Type I Diabetes. Methods This analytic study was conducted on 99 subjects, based on their availability, composed of children and adolescents suffering from Type I Diabetes who referred to the Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center in Isfahan. The collected data, after confirming the validity and reliability, were completed by the subjects and then analyzed using SPSS software (version 18). Results In association with the perceived social support, 48.5% of children and 16.7% of adolescents enjoyed acceptable levels. In comparing the average scores regarding the perceived social support of children and adolescents, a significant statistical difference was observed (P < 0.02) which showed that social support for children was more. In the study on the relation between the perceived social support and the glycosylated hemoglobin in children, the correlation between the perceived social support and the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin (P < 0.01) was significant. Conclusion Regarding the direct relationship between the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin and the perceived social support in children and adolescents, the family support and planning the team educational and practical programs and policies focusing on the purpose of self-care and thereupon, the satisfying control of diabetes is of utmost necessity.