A comparison of adolescents with/without type 1 diabetes on peer support and psychosocial functioning

Abstract

Background Whether or not living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) impacts on the psychosocial profiles of adolescents with T1D is a contested issue. Research both supports and refutes the assertion that T1D impacts on peer support, QoL and resilience, and evidence of how any relationship identified may operate is lacking. With this in mind, the aim of this study was to explore the impact of T1D on the psychosocial profiles of adolescents in comparison with a healthy peer group. Methods Clinical participants (n=80) were identified at two paediatric outpatient clinics in England, whilst the comparison group (n=69) were recruited from local schools and colleges. Participants completed measures of global peer support, resilience and QoL to enable comparison of general life experience. Findings Three-way ANOVA were utilised in order to assess variance in the psychosocial variables of interest dependent on health status, gender and age, as indicated by previous literature. A significant three-way interaction of health status, gender and age on global peer support was identified (np2=.03). Significant main effects of age and gender are additionally recognised in both QoL (np2=.08, np2=.04) and resilience (np2=.05, np2=.09). Discussion These findings suggests that adolescents with T1D and their healthy peers do not greatly differ in their psychosocial profile. These findings minimise the impact of T1D on the life of the adolescent, and suggest that the desire for normality highlighted in previous literature is a successful endeavour. Understanding this perception of normality should help clinicians refocus attention from T1D and on to person-centred care.