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. 2014 Oct;97(1):96-100.
doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2014.07.005. Epub 2014 Jul 12.

Development and validation of the diabetes adolescent problem solving questionnaire

Shelagh A Mulvaney  1 , Sarah S Jaser  2 , Russell L Rothman  3 , William E Russell  2 , Eric J Pittel  2 , Cindy Lybarger  2 , Kenneth A Wallston  4
Affiliations

Development and validation of the diabetes adolescent problem solving questionnaire

Shelagh A Mulvaney et al. Patient Educ Couns. 2014 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: Problem solving is a critical diabetes self-management skill. Because of a lack of clinically feasible measures, our aim was to develop and validate a self-report self-management problem solving questionnaire for adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods: A multidisciplinary team of diabetes experts generated questionnaire items that addressed diabetes self-management problem solving. Iterative feedback from parents and adolescents resulted in 27 items. Adolescents from two studies (N=156) aged 13-17 were recruited through a pediatric diabetes clinic and completed measures through an online survey. Glycemic control was measured by HbA1c recorded in the medical record.

Results: Empirical elimination of items using principal components analyses resulted in a 13-item unidimensional measure, the diabetes adolescent problem solving questionnaire (DAPSQ) that explained 56% of the variance. The DAPSQ demonstrated internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.92) and was correlated with diabetes self-management (r=0.53, p<.001), self-efficacy (r=0.54, p<.001), and glycemic control (r=-0.24, p<.01).

Conclusion: The DAPSQ is a brief instrument for assessment of diabetes self-management problem solving in youth with T1D and is associated with better self-management behaviors and glycemic control.

Practice implications: The DAPSQ is a clinically feasible self-report measure that can provide valuable information regarding level of self-management problem solving and guide patient education.

Keywords: Adolescent; Assessment; Glycemic control; Problem solving; Self-management; Type 1 diabetes.

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