The coping styles of adolescents with type 1 diabetes are associated with degree of metabolic control.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically study the various coping styles in a population-based sample of adolescents with type 1 diabetes, exploring the association of different coping styles with metabolic control and adolescent self-reported diabetes-related quality of life.


METHODS
Of a total population of 116 adolescents with type 1 diabetes (age 13-18 years), 103 (89%) participated in the study, completing a questionnaire to obtain information on coping styles and perception of diabetes-specific quality of life. The mean age (+/-SD) was 14.9 +/- 1.6 years, diabetes duration 7.1 +/- 3.8 years, HbA(1c) 9.4 +/- 1.6%, and male-to-female ratio 52:51.


RESULTS
There was a significant correlation between higher HbA(1c) values and higher degree of mental (r = 0.25, P < 0.05) and behavioral (r = 0.33, P < 0.01) disengagement and aggressive coping (r = 0.33, P < 0.01). Stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that greater use of aggressive coping (P < 0.05) and behavioral disengagement (P < 0.05) were significantly related to increase in HbA(1c). Greater use of active coping (P < 0.05) was significantly related to a decrease in HbA(1c). Partial correlation analysis showed that lower scores on diabetes-specific quality of life were significantly related to greater use of emotion-focused coping (r = -0.22 to -0.49). Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that greater use of mental disengagement was significantly related to lower degree of perceived diabetes-related impact.


CONCLUSIONS
Poor metabolic control and lower degree of diabetes-related quality of life are associated with greater use of emotion-focused coping in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
Graue
Marit
M
Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, N-5021 Bergen, Norway. marit.graue@hib.no
Wentzel-Larsen
Tore
T
Bru
Edvin
E
Hanestad
Berit Rokne
BR
Søvik
Oddmund
O
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015415:Biomarkers; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin