Physician Recommendations about Maternal Involvement in Adolescent Diabetes Management
- Deborah J. Wiebe, PhD, MPH (deborah.wiebe{at}utsouthwestern.edu)1,
- Cynthia A. Berg, PhD2,
- Katherine T. Fortenberry, MA2,
- Janet Sirstins, RN3,
- Rob Lindsay, MD3,
- David Donaldson, MD3 and
- Mary Murray, MD3
- 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- 2Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
- 3Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
Abstract
Objective: Examine whether perceptions of physician recommendations about maternal involvement in adolescent diabetes management are associated with children's reports of mothers' involvement the subsequent week.
Research Design and Methods: Youth with type 1 diabetes (aged 10 to 15 years) and mothers completed scales measuring perceptions of physician recommendations about maternal involvement. At their appointment, and again one week later, children reported mothers' involvement in diabetes over the past week.
Results: Fifty-three dyads provided usable data at both time-points. Perceived recommendations to increase involvement were associated with children's reports of increased maternal collaboration the subsequent week (b = 0.81, P < .05), an effect that was stronger among boys (b = −1.21, P < .005). Appraised maternal collaboration was correlated with better A1C (r = −.39, P < .005).
Conclusions: Physicians may facilitate adaptive forms of maternal involvement during adolescence by conveying messages about involvement to patients and families.
Footnotes
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- Received August 15, 2007.
- Accepted December 29, 2007.
- Copyright © American Diabetes Association
