Adherence and glycemic control among Hispanic youth with type 1 diabetes: role of family involvement and acculturation.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether family involvement and acculturation were related to adherence and glycemic control among Hispanic youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D).


METHODS
Hispanic youth with T1D (n = 111; M age = 13.33; 53% female) and parents completed questionnaires that assessed diabetes-related family involvement (distribution of responsibility for diabetes, family support for diabetes), acculturation (linguistic acculturation, generational status), and adherence. HbA1c levels indexed glycemic control.


RESULTS
Better adherence was associated with less adolescent independent responsibility, more family support for diabetes, and more recent immigration (fewer generations of the family living in US). Family support mediated the relationship between responsibility and adherence. Better glycemic control was associated with higher levels of parental education and adherence.


CONCLUSIONS
Family support for diabetes is important for adherence among Hispanic youth with T1D. Research should examine aspects of recent immigration that contribute to better adherence and the impact of supportive interventions on diabetes care.
Hsin
Olivia
O
University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA. ohsin@psy.miami.edu
La Greca
Annette M
AM
Valenzuela
Jessica
J
Moine
Cortney Taylor
CT
Delamater
Alan
A
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations / Q000208:ethnology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents