Faculty Articles

Adherence and Glycemic Control among Hispanic Youths with Type 1 Diabetes: Role of Family Involvement and Acculturation

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2010

Publication Title

Journal of Pediatric Psychology

Volume

35

Issue/Number

2

First Page

156

ISSN

0146-8693

Last Page

166

Abstract/Excerpt

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether family involvement and acculturation were related to adherence and glycemic control among Hispanic youth with type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Methods Hispanic youth with T1D (n = 111; M age = 13.33; 53% female) and parents completed questionnaires that assessed diabetes-related family involvement (distribution of responsibility for diabetes, family support for diabetes), acculturation (linguistic acculturation, generational status), and adherence. HbA1c levels indexed glycemic control. Results Better adherence was associated with less adolescent independent responsibility, more family support for diabetes, and more recent immigration (fewer generations of the family living in US). Family support mediated the relationship between responsibility and adherence. Better glycemic control was associated with higher levels of parental education and adherence. Conclusions Family support for diabetes is important for adherence among Hispanic youth with T1D. Research should examine aspects of recent immigration that contribute to better adherence and the impact of supportive interventions on diabetes care.

DOI

10.1093/jpepsy/jsp045

Peer Reviewed

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