PSYCHOSOCIAL EFFECTS OF DIABETES MELLITUS IN ADOLESCENT

Arianthi Kokonaki, Ioannis Koutelekos

Monday, January 1, 2024

Publication year:

2024

Authors:

• Kokonaki Arianthi, RN, MSc, Athens, Greece.
• Koutelekos Ioannis, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Nursing A',Technological Educational Institute of Athens

Keywords index:

• Adolescent
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Psychosocial impact
• Psychological problems
• Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Pages: 14-28

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14775611

Abstract:

Introduction: Adolescents with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at increased risk of developing mental and emotional disorders as they face a number of stressors and challenges as a result of their chronic disease and are required to manage a complex medical condition that requires daily self-care. Purpose of the present review was to present the psychosocial effects of DM in adolescence and to inform health professionals about the issues related to psychosocial effects, in order to intervene early, offering appropriate nursing care to adolescents with DM. Methodology: The PubMed database was searched. The search was limited to primary research, published from 2016 to 2022 and the publication language was English and Greek.Results: The results of the studies showed that the psychosocial effects of DM in adolescence find a close relationship between anxiety and stress and glycemic control. Depression, perceived anxiety, stress, self-efficacy, high-risk behaviors, depressive symptomatology, family conflict, distress about DM are parameters that directly affect glycemic control. Psychological interventions appear to have positive effects on attachment, metabolic control and coping with stress in adolescents with T1DM. Family involvement is vital in the optimal management of ED throughout adolescence. Conclusions: A diagnosis of DM in childhood or adolescence may affect normal developmental changes and interact with psychosocial factors in adolescents and their families. Comprehensive and collaborative care is required. Several standardized and validated tools are available to DM treatment teams to monitor well-being and screen for psychological difficulties in adolescents with DM1.