Review of family-centered interventions to enhance the health outcomes of children with type 1 diabetes.

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic literature review was to examine family-centered interventions that enhance the health outcomes of children with type 1 diabetes. The review summarizes the interventions and outcome measures that consisted of A1Cs, family relationships, and family conflict.

Methods: Multiple electronic databases were searched from their start date to September 2008 for reports of studies that examined family-centered interventions among children with type 1 diabetes.

Results: Nine publications, all randomized controlled trials, were located that investigated the effectiveness of family-centered interventions. Findings indicated that family-centered interventions significantly improved A1Cs, enhanced family dynamics, and decreased family conflict.

Conclusions: Family-centered interventions targeting children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes appear to be effective in enhancing health outcomes. These interventions focused on traditional 2-parent families, and many did not report race or ethnicity. Given the increasing number of single-parent households and divorced parents, a need exists to explore and develop family-centered interventions that target nontraditional family structures as well as addressing cultural differences.