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Document Type

Conference Proceedings

Abstract

Objective: To explore the relationships between childhood diabetes and psychosocial outcomes (child mental health, caregiver mental health) and academic engagement among children aged 6-17 years in the United States. Methods: Data from the 2022-2023 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) were analyzed using complex sample procedures in SPSS, focusing on children aged 6–17 years with diabetes. Weighted bivariate analyses examined associations between the current diabetes status of the child and indicators of psychosocial well-being (child anxiety and depression, and caregiver mental health) as well as school engagement. Results: Approximately 0.76% of U.S. school-aged children (weighted N = 77,451) were living with diabetes. Findings indicate a statistically significant association of childhood diabetes with school engagement, paternal mental health, and child anxiety and depression. Approximately 76.8% of diabetic children exhibited symptoms of anxiety compared to 23.2% of non-diabetic peers, while 82.3% of diabetic children showed depression symptoms versus 17.7% among non-diabetic peers. School engagement was lower among diabetics (42.2% not engaged vs. 35.7% among non-diabetic peers; OR = 1.315), while poor paternal mental health was more common in families of diabetic children (20.2% vs. 9.6%; OR = 2.381). Meanwhile, maternal mental health differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Findings suggest greater psychosocial needs for fathers of and children with diabetes and heightened academic support. Given the implications of these results across the lifespan, greater examination with larger sample sizes is necessary to effectively integrate mental health support and family-centered approaches to childhood diabetes management.

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