Parent-Adolescent Communication, Self-Efficacy, and Self-Management of Type 1 Diabetes in Adolescents

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate adolescent perspectives of parent-adolescent communication, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)-specific family conflict, self-efficacy, and their relationship to adolescent self-management of T1DM.Methods A cross-sectional survey design was employed. Adolescents completed measures of parent-adolescent communication, T1DM-specific family conflict, self-efficacy, and self-management, which included activation and division of responsibility for management tasks.Results Surveys were completed by 113 adolescents ages 11 to 17 years (mean age 13.85 years, SD 1.78) and living with T1DM for 6 months and longer. Hierarchical multiple regression sought to determine what variables make the most unique contribution to self-management of T1DM, division of family responsibility for management tasks, and activation. Self-efficacy was a significant predictor of division of family responsibility for T1DM management, patient activation, and all self-management subscales except collaboration with parents. Openness in parent-adolescent communication was a significant predictor of the diabetes communication and goals subscale of the self-management measure and activation. Problems in communication was a significant predictor of collaboration with parents and self-management goals.Conclusions These findings suggest that family context characteristics, particularly parent-adolescent communication, and self-efficacy are important for engagement with self-management for adolescents living with T1DM. Findings can inform future family-focused self-management interventions to improve T1DM outcomes for adolescents living with T1DM.