The Coping Styles of Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes Are Associated With Degree of Metabolic Control

  1. Marit Graue, MSC12,
  2. Tore Wentzel-Larsen, MSC3,
  3. Edvin Bru, PHD4,
  4. Berit Rokne Hanestad, PHD1 and
  5. Oddmund Søvik, MD2
  1. 1Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
  2. 2Department of Pediatrics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
  3. 3Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Haukeland, Norway
  4. 4Center for Behavioral Research, Stavanger University College, Stavanger, Norway
  1. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Marit Graue, Department of Pediatrics, Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021 Bergen, Norway. E-mail: marit.graue{at}hib.no

Abstract

OBJECTIVE—To systematically study the various coping styles in a population-based sample of adolescents with type 1 diabetes, exploring the association of different coping styles with metabolic control and adolescent self-reported diabetes-related quality of life.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Of a total population of 116 adolescents with type 1 diabetes (age 13–18 years), 103 (89%) participated in the study, completing a questionnaire to obtain information on coping styles and perception of diabetes-specific quality of life. The mean age (±SD) was 14.9 ± 1.6 years, diabetes duration 7.1 ± 3.8 years, HbA1c 9.4 ± 1.6%, and male-to-female ratio 52:51.

RESULTS—There was a significant correlation between higher HbA1c values and higher degree of mental (r = 0.25, P < 0.05) and behavioral (r = 0.33, P < 0.01) disengagement and aggressive coping (r = 0.33, P < 0.01). Stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that greater use of aggressive coping (P < 0.05) and behavioral disengagement (P < 0.05) were significantly related to increase in HbA1c. Greater use of active coping (P < 0.05) was significantly related to a decrease in HbA1c. Partial correlation analysis showed that lower scores on diabetes-specific quality of life were significantly related to greater use of emotion-focused coping (r = −0.22 to −0.49). Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that greater use of mental disengagement was significantly related to lower degree of perceived diabetes-related impact.

CONCLUSIONS—Poor metabolic control and lower degree of diabetes-related quality of life are associated with greater use of emotion-focused coping in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Footnotes

  • A table elsewhere in this issue shows conventional and Système International (SI) units and conversion factors for many substances.

    • Accepted March 13, 2004.
    • Received December 18, 2003.
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  1. doi: 10.2337/diacare.27.6.1313 Diabetes Care June 2004 vol. 27 no. 6 1313-1317
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