Do adolescents with diabetes mellitus type 1 perceive barriers to active participation?

Abstract

Background: Living with a chronic condition, such as diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM-1), constitutes a major challenge for adolescents, especially regarding participation in their social environment.Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess among adolescents with DM-1 the associations of perceived parental and personal worries with diabetes-related limitations in social relationships, exercising, leisure time activities, and activities at school. Methods: The sample consisted of 68 Slovak adolescents (aged 11 to 16 years, 48.5% boys) with DM-1 who regularly attended two diabetes outpatient settings. We collected data on adolescent-reported parental and own worries using the Diabetes Quality of Life for Youth questionnaire. Logistic regression models adjusted for gender were used. Findings: Adolescents who perceived more parental worries also reported more diabetes-related limitations in social relationship (OR/CI: 1.03/1.00-1.07), leisure time activities (OR/CI: 1.03/1.00-1.06), and activities at school (OR/CI: 1.04/1.00-1.07). Their personal worries were associated only with limitations in social relationships (OR/CI: 1.04/1.00-1.08) and in exercising (OR/CI: 1.06/1.02-1.09). Discussion: Adolescents with DM-1 perceive an influence of their condition and treatment on their life and participation in daily activities. Parental as well personal worries seem to be important factors associated with perceived limitations in particular activities, including social relationships, school activities, and exercising. Attention should thus be focused on supporting them in education in better disease management to prevent the negative side effects of DM-1.