Parenting behavior, child functioning, and health behaviors in preadolescents with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association of critical parenting behaviors with preadolescent reported depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Method: A total of 84 youth with T1D, ages 9-11 years, completed the Diabetes Family Behavior Checklist, Child Depression Inventory, Self-Efficacy for Diabetes scale, and Self-Care Inventory during a baseline assessment for a randomized controlled trial of an intervention to promote adherence.

Results: Preadolescents who reported more critical parenting behaviors reported more depressive symptoms and lower self-efficacy. The relationship between critical parenting and self-efficacy was partially mediated by depressive symptoms. In a second model, depressive symptoms were associated with lower self-efficacy and fewer self-care behaviors. The relationship between depressive symptoms and self-care was fully mediated by self-efficacy.

Conclusions: Critical parenting behaviors are associated with preadolescents' psychological well-being, which has implications for self-care. Clinical implications include decreasing critical parenting behaviors and monitoring preadolescents with T1D for depressive symptoms.

Figures

Figure 1.

Depressive symptoms (CDI) partially mediating the relationship between critical parenting behaviors (DFBC) and self-efficacy (SED). Figure illustrates how depressive symptoms partially mediate the relationship between critical parenting and self-efficacy. Bold numbers are beta weights of the relationship between the individual constructs. The non-bolded numbers are beta weights for the entire model after depressive symptoms have been included. *p ≤ .05; **p ≤ .01; ***p ≤ .001.

Figure 2.

Self-efficacy (SED) fully mediating the relationship between depressive symptoms (CDI) and self-care behaviors (SCI). Figure illustrates how self-efficacy mediates the relationship between depressive symptoms and self-care behaviors. Bold numbers are beta weights of the relationship between the individual constructs. The non-bolded numbers are beta weights for the entire model after self-efficacy has been included. *p ≤ .05; **p ≤ .01; ***p ≤ .001.