Abstract

Quality of life among youth with poorly controlled Type 1 diabetes: role of family conflict and sharing of treatment responsibility

Author(s): Melissa Cousino, Rebecca Hazen, Sarah MacLeish, Rose Gubitosi-Klug & Leona Cuttler

Aims: In addition to maintaining metabolic goals, treatment for youth with Type 1 diabetes mellitus emphasizes the importance of fostering a good quality of life (QoL). This study examines the roles of diabetes-specific family conflict and family sharing of treatment responsibility on the QoL of youth with poor metabolic control. Patients & methods: Youth (n = 72) aged 10–18 years with Type 1 diabetes mellitus for ≥12 months and poor metabolic control (recent HbA1c ≥8.5%/69 mmol/mol) and their parents completed questionnaires assessing diabetes-specific youth QoL, regimen adherence, family sharing of treatment responsibility, and diabetes-specific family conflict. Results: Lower levels of shared treatment responsibility and higher levels of family conflict around diabetes-related issues interacted to predict poorer diabetes-specific QoL. Conclusion: It is important for youth and parents to share the burden of diabetes care, even when families are experiencing diabetes-specific conflict. Interventions aimed at helping families problem-solve ways to share treatment responsibility may enhance youth QoL.