
Illness representations predict adherence in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes
Objective: Most adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with type 1 diabetes struggle with diabetes self-management and exhibit suboptimal glycemic control. This study examined two models of association between illness representations, a modifiable predictor of suboptimal
outcomes, and adherence and glycemic control in AYAs with type 1 diabetes.
Design and main outcome measures: Ninety-nine AYAs (ages 15–20 years) completed measures of illness representations and adherence at two visits. Blood glucose monitoring frequency and haemoglobin A1c were obtained via chart review. Relationships were examined using structural equation modelling.
Results: Illness representations accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in blood glucose monitoring frequency (ΔR 2 = .23, p < .01) and adherence to emergency precautions at Time 1 (ΔR 2 = .07, p = .03). Illness representations also accounted for significant variance in blood glucose monitoring frequency (ΔR 2 = .08, p = .01), adherence to recommendations for insulin and food (ΔR 2 = .08, p = .02) and exercise (ΔR 2 = .10, p < .01), and adherence to emergency precautions (ΔR 2 = .16, p < .01) at Time 2.
Conclusion: Illness representations are salient predictors of adherence in this population. Interventions targeting adherence promotion and glycemic control in AYAs with type 1 diabetes may be enhanced by efforts to modify illness representations.
Design and main outcome measures: Ninety-nine AYAs (ages 15–20 years) completed measures of illness representations and adherence at two visits. Blood glucose monitoring frequency and haemoglobin A1c were obtained via chart review. Relationships were examined using structural equation modelling.
Results: Illness representations accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in blood glucose monitoring frequency (ΔR 2 = .23, p < .01) and adherence to emergency precautions at Time 1 (ΔR 2 = .07, p = .03). Illness representations also accounted for significant variance in blood glucose monitoring frequency (ΔR 2 = .08, p = .01), adherence to recommendations for insulin and food (ΔR 2 = .08, p = .02) and exercise (ΔR 2 = .10, p < .01), and adherence to emergency precautions (ΔR 2 = .16, p < .01) at Time 2.
Conclusion: Illness representations are salient predictors of adherence in this population. Interventions targeting adherence promotion and glycemic control in AYAs with type 1 diabetes may be enhanced by efforts to modify illness representations.
No Reference information available - sign in for access.
No Citation information available - sign in for access.
No Supplementary Data.
No Article Media
No Metrics
Keywords: diabetes mellitus; illness representations; patient compliance; type 1; young adults
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: 1: Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Center for Adherence and Self-Management, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA 2: Department of Pediatrics, Madison Center for Pediatric Diabetes, San Francisco School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
Publication date: September 2, 2014