Linking Caregiver Strain to Diabetes Illness Management and Health Outcomes in a Sample of Adolescents in Chronically Poor Metabolic Control

摘要

ObjectiveThis study examined a multivariate model of the relationship between caregiver strain and adolescent diabetes illness outcomes in a sample of caregivers of adolescents in chronically poor metabolic control (Hba1c ≥ 8.0% at enrollment and for previous 12 months). Caregiver mental health symptoms were hypothesized to mediate the relationship between caregiver strain and adolescent illness management behavior and metabolic control. Caregivers’ perceptions of social support and their level of responsibility for diabetes care tasks were hypothesized to be directly related to caregiver strain and indirectly to caregiver mental health symptoms.