Assessment of an illness-specific dimension of self-esteem in youths with type 1 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
The initial validation of a brief assessment of a diabetes-specific self-esteem dimension in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.


METHODS
Youths with type 1 diabetes (n = 87) aged 10-16 years were administered the multidimensional Self-Esteem Questionnaire (SEQ) and a newly designed assessment of diabetes-specific self-esteem (DSSE). Their parents completed parallel forms. Adherence to the diabetes regimen and glycemic control were also assessed.


RESULTS
In factor analysis, DSSE items formed a distinct dimension of self-esteem in addition to the SEQ dimensions. This factor uniquely contributed to differences in youths' global self-esteem. Significant associations with adherence and glycemic control suggested its concurrent validity. Agreement between youth- and parent-report DSSE forms supported inter-rater reliability.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings provide preliminary support for recognizing the importance of a DSSE dimension in adolescents' adjustment to diabetes, and for the reliability and validity of the proposed assessment strategy.
Schneider
Stefan
S
Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, Putnam Hall, South Campus, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8790, USA. stefan.schneider@sunysb.edu
Iannotti
Ronald J
RJ
Nansel
Tonja R
TR
Haynie
Denise L
DL
Sobel
Douglas O
DO
Simons-Morton
Bruce
B
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016903:Drug Monitoring