The relation between family factors and metabolic control: the role of diabetes adherence.
OBJECTIVE
To examine family factors as predictors of metabolic control in children with type 1 diabetes and determine whether adherence behaviors mediate this relationship.


METHODS
Participants were 109 children (ages 8-18) and a parent. Measures of diabetes-specific family functioning and an adherence interview were completed. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was the index of metabolic control.


RESULTS
Family functioning and adherence were strongly associated with metabolic control. Combined with demographic information, these constructs accounted for 49% of the variance in metabolic control. Age moderated the relation between aspects of family functioning and HbA1c. Path analyses suggest that adherence mediates the relationship between family functioning and metabolic control.


CONCLUSIONS
Family functioning and adherence behaviors are strongly related to a child's health status. Assessment of diabetes-specific family functioning, in addition to adherence, is an important factor in understanding metabolic control.
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Box 100165, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0165, USA. alewin@phhp.ufl.edu
Adam B
AB
Lewin
Amanda D
AD
Heidgerken
Gary R
GR
Geffken
Laura B
LB
Williams
Eric A
EA
Storch
Kenneth M
KM
Gelfand
Janet H
JH
Silverstein
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009679:Nuclear Family / Q000523:psychology*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012648:Self Care; D014481:United States
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin