Adolescent self-efficacy and resilience in participants attending A diabetes camp.

Adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) often speak of the importance of attending a diabetes camp. In an effort to identify the effect of a diabetes camp on participants, a descriptive comparative pilot study was undertaken. Adolescents 10 to 16 years of age with T1DM attending a residential diabetes camp (N = 81) were recruited to explore the concept of self-efficacy and resilience, two possible mediators influenced by attending camp. Overall, self-efficacy and resilience scores were moderately high. No differences were detected in outcome measures for gender or mode of insulin therapy; however, African Americans scored significantly higher for diabetes self-efficacy and resilience. Subjects living with one parent had poorer glycosylated hemoglobin (HgbA1C) but scored better in resilience. No association for years of camp attendance and study outcomes were identified. Diabetes camp is an important experience for adolescents living with T1DM, and continued exploration of the influence of diabetes camp is warranted.