Correlates of depressive symptoms in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

  1. Robin Whittemore,
  2. Sheri Kanner,
  3. Sabrina Singleton,
  4. Vanya Hamrin,
  5. Joy Chiu,
  6. Margaret Grey

Article first published online: 4 OCT 2002

DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-5448.2002.30303.x

Issue

Pediatric Diabetes

Pediatric Diabetes

Volume 3, Issue 3, pages 135–143, September 2002

Additional Information

How to Cite

Whittemore, R., Kanner, S., Singleton, S., Hamrin, V., Chiu, J. and Grey, M. (2002), Correlates of depressive symptoms in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Pediatric Diabetes, 3: 135–143. doi: 10.1034/j.1399-5448.2002.30303.x

Author Information

  1. Yale School of Nursing, New Haven, CT, USA

*Corresponding author: Robin Whittemore, Post Doctoral Fellow, Yale School of Nursing, 100 Church Street South, PO Box 9740, New Haven, CT 06535–0740, USA. Tel: 203-737-5512; fax: 203-737-4480; e-mail: robin.whittemore@yale.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 4 OCT 2002
  2. Article first published online: 4 OCT 2002
  3. Submitted 4 December 2001.Accepted for publication 1 May 2002

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Keywords:

  • depression;
  • family functioning;
  • type 1 diabetes

Abstract: Purpose:  To determine correlates of depression in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Methods:  Data on 117 adolescents participating in a longitudinal study (72 F, 45 M; 95 W; age = 14.3 ± 2.0 yr; duration = 6.3 ± 3.7) were collected with the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Diabetes Family Behavior Scale (DFBS), Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale (FACES), and chart review at study entry and 2-year follow-up.

Results:  Fifteen per cent of adolescents in this sample demonstrated depressive symptoms (CDI > 13) at study entry and 10% at 2 yr follow-up. Adolescents aged 14.1–16 yr and those with diabetes > 10 yr demonstrated the highest rates. When demographic/clinical variables were controlled, the DFBS warmth-caring subscale (p = 0.001) and the FACES adaptability subscale (p = 0.005), but not DFBS guidance-control (p = 0.635), contributed significantly to the explained variance in depressive symptoms (R2 = 0.27) at study entry. At 2 yr follow-up, study entry CDI scores were the only significant predictor of depressive symptoms (R2 = 0.40). By 2 yr, adolescents with depressive symptoms had significantly higher HbA1c than those without (p = 0.03).

Conclusion:  The prevalence of depressive symptoms in adolescents with type 1 diabetes coupled with the potential impact of depressive symptoms on metabolic control suggest the need for early diagnosis and treatment. Greater attention to psychosocial outcomes of youth, family functioning, and the potential burden of diabetes over time to youth/families is indicated.

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