Father-absent adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: A population at risk?

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Abstract

This study evaluated whether family structure is associated with the psychosocial functioning and physical health of adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Subjects were 30 intact families and 30 father-absent families. Adolescents and their mothers completed several self-report and observational instruments that assessed adolescent adherence to treatment, adolescents' and mothers' perceptions of maternal support and nonsupport of treatment, mothers' parental competence, and adolescent social competence. Metabolic control was determined by averaging the adolescent's hemoglobin A1c levels during the previous year. A 2 × 2 (Family Structure × Gender) analysis of variance was conducted on each dependent measure. The results showed that father-absent adolescents had better adherence to the IDDM treatment regimen, despite the fact that adolescents from intact families reported significantly more maternal support for treatment. In addition, single mothers reported relatively high parental competence; and statistical interaction effects indicated that single mothers of girls were more involved in the daily treatment of IDDM, consisting of both positive and negative interactions, than single mothers of boys. There were no between-groups differences for adolescents' metabolic control or social competence. Together, these findings suggested that the father-absent adolescents have adjusted very well to living with one parent and a chronic illness.

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  • Cited by (0)

    This research was supported by funding to the Department of Psychology at Memphis State University granted through the Centers of Excellence Program of the State of Tennessee, and by funds from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (#HL36553).

    1

    We greatly appreciate the help of numerous research assistants who worked on the project, with special thanks to Marlin Moore, Thurman Glover, Mary Summerville, and Judith Brown. We also thank Dr. Charles M. Borduin who provided valuable editorial suggestions for this manuscript. Special thanks are also given to Dr. Joseph Fisher for his assistance in the referral of subjects.

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