Improving outcomes for young people with type 1 diabetes
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Date
29/11/2016Author
Lockhart, Lorraine
Metadata
Abstract
Aims: The thesis aimed to contribute to the current understanding of how to
improve comprehensive health outcomes for children and adolescents with type 1
diabetes.
Methods: A systematic review was undertaken to identify existing
interventions designed to improve health-related quality of life in a paediatric
diabetes population. The quality of identified studies was assessed and the
effectiveness of the interventions was evaluated. Parent-adolescent dyads were also
recruited via paediatric diabetes teams to participate in an empirical study.
Participants were asked to complete questionnaires measuring psychological
flexibility, mindfulness, perception of parental care and control, adherence to
treatment and quality of life. Relationships were explored using correlation and
regression analysis.
Results: Twenty seven articles were identified in the systematic review.
More than half were rated as “acceptable” or “high quality”. Quality of life was a
primary treatment target in only three studies. Eight studies reported significant
beneficial effects on health-related quality of life. In the empirical study, regression
analysis found that both parent and adolescent diabetes-specific psychological
flexibility predicted treatment adherence while adolescent mindfulness and insulin
administration predicted quality of life.
Conclusion: There is some evidence for the effectiveness of intensive
structured education and coping skills training in improving health-related quality.
However consideration should be given to developing theoretically informed
interventions to target quality of life alongside other treatment related outcomes. The
empirical study suggested psychological flexibility and mindfulness are useful
constructs for understanding health outcomes in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
Acceptance and commitment, and mindfulness-based therapies may prove beneficial
for improving outcomes in this population.