Coping strategies, perceptions of family support, and self-care management of adolescents with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

The objective of this research was threefold: (a) to identify the coping strategies used most often by adolescents with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM); (b) to identify family support behaviors used most often by families of adolescents with IDDM; and (c) to explore the relationship among coping strategies, family support styles, and self-care management in adolescents with IDDM.; A correlational descriptive design was used to conduct this research. Corresponding to the study's objectives, three research questions were answered in this study: (a) Which coping strategies do adolescents use most often to manage their diabetes? (b) What family support behaviors are used most often by families of adolescents with IDDM? and (c) What is the relationship between adolescent coping strategies, family support styles, and self-care management?; Ninety-one adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 provided assent to participate in the study. Each adolescent had been diagnosed with insulin dependent diabetes for at least one year and was able to read and write in English. Data were collected from 72 of the 91 adolescents. Responses to three questionnaires related to coping, family support and self-care management were obtained. A parent of each adolescent completed a demographic data form.; The research revealed that (a) "avoiding problems" was the most used coping style by the adolescents; (b) "warmth and caring" was the most used family support behavior by families of adolescents with IDDM; and (c) adolescents with high warmth and caring family support scores were likely to have better self-care management skills. Additionally, it was found that a positive relationship existed between the coping strategy of ventilating feelings and family support and that there was a negative relationship between the family support behavior of guidance and control and the coping strategy of avoiding problems.