Abstract
Objectives: To examine whether peer support and illness representation mediate the link between family support, self-management and well-being. Method: Fifty-two adolescents (12-18 years old) with Type I diabetes were recruited and followed over 6 months, completing assessments of self- management, well-being, and social support. Results: Perceived impact of diabetes and supportive family and friends were prospectively predictive of participants' well-being measures. Although support from family and friends was predictive of better dietary self-care, this relationship was mediated by personal model beliefs. In particular, beliefs about the effectiveness of the diabetes treatment regimen to control diabetes was predictive of better dietary self-care. Conclusions: Both friends and family are important to support adolescents as they live with and manage their diabetes. Personal models of diabetes are important determinants of both dietary self-care and well-being. In addition, personal models may serve to mediate the relationship between social support and dietary behavior.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Pediatric Psychology |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Pages (from-to) | 257-267 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| ISSN | 0146-8693 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2000 |
Keywords
- Adherence
- Adolescents
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Family
- Friends
- Illness representations
- Peers
- Personal models
- Self- care
- Social support
- Well-being
