Date Available

8-2-2023

Year of Publication

2021

Document Type

DNP Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Faculty

Dr. Elizabeth Tovar

Faculty

Dr. Leslie Scott

Abstract

Background: This study examined depression and diabetes distress (DD) in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and in their parents. Depressive symptoms and DD are associated with poor glycemic control.

Objectives: To describe the prevalence of parental and adolescent depressive symptoms and DD in the sample and to evaluate correlations among depressive symptoms, DD, and A1c in parent-adolescent dyads in which the adolescents have T1D.

Methods: Thirty-two parent-adolescent dyads completed measures assessing depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and DD (Problem Areas in Diabetes- Parent of Teen and Teen versions), self-reported socio-demographic and clinical variables, and responded to questions about living with T1D. Adolescents’ A1c measurements were retrieved from medical records. Bivariate relationships among parental depressive symptoms, parental DD, adolescent depressive symptoms, adolescent DD, and A1c were evaluated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

Results: Thirty-four percent (n = 11) of adolescents experienced moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 10), and 37% of adolescents (n = 12) experienced DD (≥44). Fifteen percent of parents (n = 5) experienced moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 10), and 20% of parents (n = 7) experienced DD (≥54). Correlations were found between parental DD and adolescent A1c (r = .509, p < 0.01), parental DD and adolescent DD (r = .606, p < 0.01), adolescent depressive symptoms and adolescent DD (r = .692, p < 0.01), and parental depressive symptoms and parental DD (r = .438, p < 0.05). Adolescent themes (management adversity, separateness, and emotional effects) and parental themes (management gravity and emotional effects) were identified.

Conclusion: Parental and adolescent depressive symptoms and DD are important factors to assess and address in managing T1D in adolescents. Qualitative results support the need for support groups and classes for parents and adolescents.

Download

Share

COinS