INDEPENDENT/DEPENDENT CONFLICT IN THE ADOLESCENT WITH DIABETES MELLITUS TYPE 1.
Contributors: Texas Woman's University.
Published: 1988
Number of pages: 117
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The problem of the study was to determine if there was a relationship between overall psychosocial adjustment of the adolescent to the disease, Diabetes Mellitus Type I, to the independent/dependent conflict of adolescence. In addition, this study sought to determine if differences in psychosocial adaptation to Diabetes Mellitus Type I existed in regard to gender and between each of the three stages of adolescent development.

Data on Hypothesis 1, the relationship of the adaptation to Diabetes Mellitus Type I and the developmental task, was analyzed using a Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Partial Correlation Coefficients. This analysis showed a significant relationship between the psychosocial adjustment of the adolescent in adjustment to Diabetes Mellitus Type I and the independent/dependent conflict resolution. The data from Hypothesis 2 was used to determine if a difference existed between gender and the substages in adjustment to the diabetes. This data was analyzed by using a one-way Analysis of Variance. The results did not indicate a significant difference existed in either gender or substage.

A stepwise multiple regression analysis was utilized to establish internal consistency and assist in reliability of the Sullivan Diabetic Adjustment Scale. The two instruments utilized were Beck's Depression Inventory and Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale. The Sullivan Diabetic Adjustment Scale was shown to be reliable and valid.

Analysis of the demographic data sheet variables revealed three interesting findings. The three findings were: (1) No male chose to ask for help from health care providers. (2) A correlation existed between the duration of the diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus Type I and increase in adolescent age to knowledge of number of calories the diabetics were allowed to ingest. (3) The majority of subjects utilized Humulin insulin and received two injections daily of NPH and NPH plus Regular.

Helping the adolescent to separate the Diabetes Mellitus Type I regime from the independent/dependent conflict is important. The nurse needs to recognize that, if an adolescent with Diabetes Mellitus Type I can adapt positively to this developmental task, then overall psychosocial adaptation can occur.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-08, Section: B, page: 3109.

Thesis (PH.D.)--TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY, 1988.

School code: 0925.