The effect of positive psychology interventions on psychological wellbeing of children with Type 1 Diabetes and their parents

Type 1 diabetes, one of the chlidhood chronic illnesses, can be a stressor that makes children and their parents vulnerable to psychological problems. Positive psychology interventions are known to improve psychological wellbeing. The aim of the present study is to analyze the effect of positive psychology interventions applied by 7-13 year-old children with type 1 diabetes and their parents on children's depression, anxiety and health related quality of life; and parents' happiness, depression, anxiety, stress and positive affect. In order to measure the effect of six week-positive psychology interventions, children (n = 24) were administered Child Anxiety and Depression Scale-Revised (RCADS) and Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire for Children (Kid-KINDL). Parents (n = 24) were administered PERMA-Profiler, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) and Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). The interventions resulted in a significant increase in parents' happiness and positive affect levels; and a significant decrease in parents' depression, anxiety, stress and negative affect levels. While children's anxiety levels decreased, there was not any significant diffirence in depression and health-related quality of life levels of children after the intervention program. The intervention program did not have an impact on children's diabetes control assessed by HbA1c levels. Findings support that positive psychology interventions have positive effects on psychological wellbeing of children with type 1 diabetes and their parents. The results are in line with the positive psychology interventions in literature. This study contributes to the relevant literature by addressing parents, as well as children. It is concluded that positive psychology interventions are influential for psychological wellbeing of children with type 1 diabates, and these interventions also contribute to psychological wellbeing of parents, as well. Keywords: Pozitive psychology interventions, type 1 diabetes, psychological wellbeing, children, parents