title: Brief report: parent perceptions of hypoglycemic symptoms of youth with diabetes; disease disclosure minimizes risk of negative evaluations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Based on a theoretical model, this study explored the effects that the disclosure of diabetes has on parental perceptions of a hypothetical child experiencing hypoglycemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parents (N = 610) first read vignettes that varied in a 2 x 2 design (Male vs. Female Character x Preventative Disclosure of Illness vs. Nondisclosure) and then answered several questions regarding the hypothetical child, resulting in four subscales that were validated using confirmatory factor analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Disclosure of diabetes significantly increased perceptions of a medical problem, decreased suspicions of drug use, and presented a lower risk of parental restrictions on future contact with their child.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals who disclose their diabetes may prevent negative social consequences and restrictions on social contact. Those who choose not to disclose may risk having a hypoglycemic event perceived as a drug or alcohol problem, which may ultimately interfere with appropriate medical intervention in a hypoglycemic event.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 53211, USA.
authors.forename: Kristoffer S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Berlin
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Sass
authors.forename: W Hobart
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Shawna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reupert
authors.forename: Anthony A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Hains
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000517:prevention & control*; D030881:Disclosure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires