Risk Factors for Eating Disturbances in Young People with Type 1 Diabetes and Chronic Asthma: The Role of Parenting Style and Self-Esteem.

Hatton, J (2014) Risk Factors for Eating Disturbances in Young People with Type 1 Diabetes and Chronic Asthma: The Role of Parenting Style and Self-Esteem. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Background
Research indicates that eating disturbances are twice as prevalent among adolescents with type 1 diabetes compared to their healthy peers; comparisons with other chronic illness groups are inconclusive. Adolescent self-esteem and parenting factors have been found to be associated with eating disturbances in type 1 diabetes. However, to date the literature is methodologically limited by a lack of comparison group, and has failed to consider the role of parent care and overprotection.
Aims
This study aimed to explore the relationship between adolescent-perceived parent care and overprotection, self-esteem and eating disturbances in a group of adolescents with type 1 diabetes compared to a group with asthma.
Method
Participants were 16 – 18 year old males and females with a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (n = 65) or asthma (n = 37) recruited through NHS clinics. The Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire was used along with the Parental Bonding Instrument, as a measure of parent overprotection and care, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. A cross-sectional, self-report questionnaire design was utilised.
Results
Unexpectedly, the asthma group reported significantly higher levels of eating psychopathology than the type 1 diabetes group. Significant negative associations were found between parent care and eating disturbances in both illness groups. Additionally, significant positive associations were found between parent overprotection and eating disturbances in the type 1 diabetes group, but not the asthma group. As predicted, self-esteem was strongly negatively correlated with eating disturbances in both groups.
Conclusion
Overall, the results suggest that adolescents with both asthma and type 1 diabetes may be vulnerable to higher levels of eating psychopathology, which in turn is associated with poorer self-esteem and less adaptive parenting. The findings are considered in relation to illness-related weight gain and the broader impact of chronic illness. The theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Users 7453 not found.
Date Deposited:	11 Jul 2014 12:20
Last Modified:	11 Jul 2014 12:20
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/49598
DOI:

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