Executive functioning and self-management in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes

Wells, Eleanor (2016) Executive functioning and self-management in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Background
Deterioration in Type 1 diabetes self-management and glycaemic control has been
identified during adolescence, at a time when individuals begin to adopt greater
responsibility for their diabetes care. Emerging literature has started to explore the
association between executive function and self-management in adolescents with
Type 1 diabetes. However, this literature is limited by the variability in the age
ranges investigated and an over-reliance upon parent-report measures.
Aims
This research study explored whether adolescent executive function and
responsibility for diabetes care are associated with self-management and glycaemic
control. The study also explored if executive function and responsibility for diabetes
care are associated.
Method
A cross-sectional design was adopted. Participants were aged 11-18 years with a
diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes (n = 67) and accompanying parents/caregivers (n = 41).
All participants completed self-report questionnaires measuring adolescent executive
function, diabetes self-management and responsibility for diabetes care. HbA1c
values provided a measure of glycaemic control.
Results
Better adolescent executive function was associated with better diabetes selfmanagement,
but not glycaemic control. Metacognitive components of executive
function were identified as the strongest predictor of self-management. Adolescent
responsibility for diabetes care did not predict self-management or glycaemic
control. No association was found between responsibility for diabetes care and
executive function. Adolescent-completed and parent-completed measures were
positively associated. Adolescents reported better executive function and elevated
responsibility for diabetes care than their parents/caregivers.
Conclusion
The results suggest that executive functioning abilities are important to consider
when addressing adolescents’ diabetes self-management. Metacognitive aspects of
executive function were suggested to be of greater importance for adolescents in
achieving effective self-management than behavioural components. The absence of a
relationship between executive functioning, responsibility for diabetes care and
glycaemic control suggests that other factors may be involved in predicting this
outcome. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Jackie Webb
Date Deposited:	19 Oct 2016 08:57
Last Modified:	19 Oct 2016 08:57
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/60982
DOI:

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