The perception of diabetes risk in minor children among parents with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND

Parental perceptions of diabetes risk in minor children are crucial for preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children of parents living with the condition. However, research on this topic remains limited. In this context, the present study aimed to examine parental risk perceptions concerning pediatric type 2 diabetes to provide evidence-based guidance for developing early intervention strategies for diabetes prevention.

METHOD: Purposive sampling was used to recruit 16 parents with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had minor children. Participants were both outpatient and inpatient attendees of the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism at a tertiary Grade A hospital in Zhenjiang. The recruitment period spanned from June to August 2025. A phenomenological research design was employed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data analysis followed Colaizzi's seven-step analytical framework.

RESULTS

Parents' perceptions of type 2 diabetes risk in their minor children were categorized into three core themes: cognitive biases in the perception of genetic risk (including genetic determinism, the concept of acquired illness leads to cognitive impairment, and gender biases in risk perception), the double-edged sword of behavioral changes following risk perception (encompassing internalization of reasonable health behaviors and governance of excessive health behaviors), and dilemma in health behavior intervention following risk perception (such as intergenerational conflict, conflict between academic load and health maintenance, scarcity of health management information, and game of health sovereignty).

CONCLUSION

Healthcare professionals should assist parents with type 2 diabetes mellitus in developing accurate perceptions of genetic risk, enhancing their comprehensive understanding of pediatric diabetes risks, strengthening family-based support systems, and facilitating the implementation of targeted preventive behavioral interventions.