Self-care of young adolescents with type 1 diabetes

J Pediatr Nurs. 2006 Jun;21(3):222-32. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2005.07.013.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the universal and health deviation self-care of adolescents with Type 1 diabetes and the associations of basic conditioning factors with universal and health deviation self-care. Subjects for this study were 152 adolescents aged between 11 and 15 years with a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. Data were collected in the home setting of each adolescent and his or her family. The mean universal self-care scores ranged from 66.62% to 90%. The overall mean for this sample was 75.37, indicating that these adolescents took care of their self-care needs 75% of the time. Health deviation self-care was a mean of 27.26, indicating more positive self-care behaviors and treatment adherence. Health deviation and universal self-care were significantly and positively related (r = .36, p < .001). Ethnicity and adolescent sex were statistically significant in predicting universal self-care. Adolescent age was statistically significant in predicting health deviation self-care. Health deviation self-care decreases with age, suggesting that early adolescence or late school age is an appropriate time for interventions to strengthen self-care behaviors. Furthermore, the interrelationship of the two types of self-care supports the potential for a synergistic effect of intervention.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Compliance* / psychology
  • Regression Analysis
  • Self Care* / psychology
  • Southeastern United States