Depressive symptoms and unmet psychological needs of Dutch youth with type 1 diabetes: results of a web-survey.
OBJECTIVE
To examine rates of depression and (un)met psychological needs in youth with type 1 diabetes.


METHODS
An open-access web-survey was conducted, collecting data on demographics, self-reported HbA1c, depressive symptoms [Child Depression Inventory (CDI)], wished and received psychological care in youth with type 1 diabetes (9-19 years).


RESULTS
The survey was completed by 233 youth; 17.2% reported elevated depressive symptoms on the CDI, girls more than boys (p = 0.003). Half of the youth did not talk about their feelings with their pediatrician or nurse. Of those youth with elevated depressive symptoms, 28% received psychological care, 25% wished to see a psychologist and 47% did not think it was necessary to receive psychological support.


CONCLUSIONS
This web-survey confirms the high prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms in youth with type 1 diabetes and the urgency to address their psychological needs. Screening for depressive symptoms in the context of periodic outpatient consultation could improve early detection and treatment of emotional problems.
de Wit
Maartje
M
Department of Medical Psychology & EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.dewit@vumc.nl
Snoek
Frank J
FJ
D000293:Adolescent; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data