Living with diabetes: The relationship between quality of life, coping style, adherence, and metabolic control in adolescence.

Abstract

The current study examined 55 adolescents with diabetes. Project goals were to assess the relationships between health-related quality of life, coping style, adherence, and metabolic control. A reconceptualization of quality of life was constructed, utilizing the term health-related quality of life. The construct health-related adaptation was proposed in this study to define and measure thoughts and behaviors which influence illness management. Construct measures included the Diabetes Quality of Life Scale for Youth (DQOLY); the Kidcope; a modified version of the Israel self-report measure of adherence for children and adolescents; and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Blood glucose levels served as a metabolic control indicator. Contrary to study predictions, no psychosocial variables were related to metabolic control. Salient findings included: age of onset and diabetes duration were significantly associated with metabolic control and behavior problems. Females reported more diabetes related worries than males. Factor analysis of model constructs supported the viability of the constructs health-related quality of life and health-related adaptation.