Pathways of emotional autonomy, self-care behaviors, and depressive symptoms on health adaptation in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND

Adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) need to adapt physically and psychologically to the impact of diabetes.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine the pathways of emotional autonomy, depressive symptoms, and self-care behaviors to glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and quality of life (QoL) in adolescents with T1DM.

METHODS

Cross-sectional design was used in this study. Self-reported questionnaires and medical records were used to collect data from 265 adolescents with T1DM by convenience sampling in Taiwan.

DISCUSSION

Structural equation modeling indicated that self-care behaviors directly positively influenced life satisfaction QoL but negatively influenced HbA1c levels. Depressive symptoms directly negatively influenced self-care behaviors and life satisfaction QoL. Emotional autonomy directly negatively influenced self-care behaviors and life-satisfaction QoL but directly positively influenced depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Emotional autonomy seems to be a risk factor contributing to poor health adaptation. Health care providers need to help adolescents with T1DM to balance the pursuit of emotional autonomy and health adaptation.