Understanding the Areas and Correlates of Diabetes-Related Distress in Parents of Teens With Type 1 Diabetes

Authors: Hessler, D., Fisher, L., Polonsky, W., Johnson, N.

Abstract

Objective: To identify the unique areas of diabetes-related distress (DD) for parents of teens with type 1 diabetes and parent and teen characteristics associated with DD.

Methods: Areas of DD were developed from structured interviews and translated into 46 survey items. Items were analyzed with exploratory factor analysis (EFA).

Results: An EFA with 332 parents (88% mothers) reduced items to four Parent Diabetes Distress Scale (PDDS) factors (20 items, α = .94): Personal, Teen Management, Parent/Teen Relationship, and Healthcare Team Distress. Parent DD was higher among fathers, younger or single parents, parents of teens with higher hemoglobin A1c or severe low blood glucose levels, authoritarian parenting, depressive symptoms, and low emotional support.

Conclusions: 4 areas of parent DD were identified using a newly developed measure, the PDDS. DD was associated with family demographic, teen diabetes status, and parent contextual factors, and can help identify parents who may be more vulnerable to DD.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26869664/

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BDI Monthly Events

November 12: BDI hosts the San Diego-wide, monthly case consultation meeting (for mental health professionals working in the field of diabetes). Contact us at [email protected] if you are in the greater San Diego area and would like further information about this program.

November 15: Time for another T1D meet-up! GrownupT1Ds, a wonderful nonprofit here in southern California, which organizes fun social events for adults with type 1 diabetes here in southern California. This next one will be at 2 pm at Brewery X, 3191 E La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA. This event is free, but space is limited. Please RSVP at www.grownupt1ds.orgmeetings/annual/info

November 7: Dr Guzman (BDI Director of Clinical Education) and Dr Fisher (BDI Director of Research) will lead an adapted DD-ASSIST Program for the clinical team the UCSF Diabetes and Pregnancy Program. The goal of this program is to help the team be able to assess and address pregnancy-related diabetes distress as part of their routine care.