Quality of life for adolescents with type 1 diabetes: parental and youth perspectives

Abstract

Purpose: This descriptive correlational study explored quality of life for adolescents with type 1 diabetes versus healthy adolescents, and possible influences of age, gender, race, and metabolic control on quality of life and health perception of the adolescents with diabetes.

Sample: Sixty-nine adolescents with type 1 diabetes treated at a pediatric diabetes center of a children's medical center in the Mid-South versus 75 healthy adolescents and their respective parents.

Methods: Data were collected using the Diabetes Quality of Life Instrument for Youth, the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents, the Children's Behavior Checklist (Competence Scales), and the Functional Status II. Chart data included the duration of diabetes, insulin dosage, most recent hemoglobin A1c, and average hemoglobin A1c over the past year.

Results: Teens with diabetes expressed lower life satisfaction and health perception than controls; females with diabetes had lower life satisfaction than their male counterparts.