Family functioning and quality of life in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: The role of dissimilarity in illness representations and school support

Abstract

This study analyzed the impact of dissimilarities in illness perceptions between parents and adolescents, school support, and family functioning on quality of life of adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D). A total of 100 adolescents diagnosed with T1D for at least 1 year and a primary caregiver participated in the study (N=200). Adolescents answered the Diabetes Quality of Life and the School Support Questionnaire, and parents answered the general functioning subscale of the Family Assessment Device. Both answered the Brief-Illness Perception Questionnaire, regarding the adolescents’ diabetes. The interception effect of dissimilarities regarding identity and concerns perceptions toward diabetes, between parents and adolescents, and school support in the relationship between family functioning and quality of life was significant and explained 27% and 32% of the variance, respectively. The results showed a negative relationship between family functioning and quality of life when school support was low and dissimilarities in identity and concerns perceptions were high. Therefore, to increase quality of life of adolescents with T1D, intervention programs should include family, teachers, school staff, and peers to improve their knowledge of diabetes and support to adolescents.