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. 2014 Aug;39(7):687-96.
doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsu043. Epub 2014 Jun 16.

Longitudinal trajectories of illness perceptions among adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Katherine T Fortenberry  1 , Cynthia A Berg  2 , Pamela S King  2 , Tammy Stump  2 , Jorie M Butler  2 , Phung K Pham  2 , Deborah J Wiebe  2
Affiliations

Longitudinal trajectories of illness perceptions among adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Katherine T Fortenberry et al. J Pediatr Psychol. 2014 Aug.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine development in illness perceptions of type 1 diabetes across adolescence and relationships with intelligence, diabetes responsibility, and diabetes outcomes.

Methods: Illness perceptions were measured via the Illness Perceptions Questionnaire at 3 times, every 6 months in 213 adolescents (M age = 13.00; SD = 1.54) with type 1 diabetes. Intelligence and adolescents' perceived responsibility for diabetes were examined, and adolescents' report of adherence and quality of life (QOL), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) from medical records addressed diabetes-related outcomes.

Results: Linear growth models showed significant increases in perceptions of diabetes coherence, chronicity, consequences, personal and treatment control, and decreases in diabetes cyclicality and parental control across time. More favorable illness perceptions were generally associated with adolescent intelligence at baseline, more adolescent responsibility for management, better adherence and QOL, and lower HbA1c at each time point.

Conclusions: Results suggest that adolescents develop complex illness perceptions, which are associated with better diabetes management.

Keywords: adherence; adolescents; illness perceptions; metabolic control; quality of life; type 1 diabetes.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Changes in illness representations across adolescence, centered at age 13. Note: The downward trend for emotional representations was not significant.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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