[Understanding health by adolescents with diabetes mellitus type 1 assessed by own criteria].

Abstract

Background: The word "health" has different meanings according to gender, age, social and health status as well as value system which points out life goals.

Objectives: To determine the criteria of understanding "health" by adolescents with diabetes type 1 compared to the healthy peers.

Material and methods: Study group comprised 66 adolescents (34 girls and 32 boys) 14-18 years old (mean 15.9+.1.3 years) suffering from diabetes mellitus for more than 2 years (mean 4.3+/-3.4 years). Control group of 60 healthy adolescents (30 girls and 30 toys) was matched for age and gender. The List of Health's Criteria by Juczyński including 24 items of positive descriptions of physical, psychological and social dimensions of health was used.

Results: Important differences as well as some similarities between two groups were found. Adolescents with diabetes mellitus understood health in physical and psychological aspects (as proper eating habits, enjoying life, having efficient all parts of the body). Less important value they attribute to processes connected with: being responsible, solving own problems, controlling emotions and impulses.

Conclusions: Diabetic adolescents understand the concept of "being healthy" in a different way than their healthy peers. Criteria the diabetic youngsters choose result probably from their health status and demonstrate the difficulties these children face while following the therapeutic recommendations. Problems understanding, psychological support as well as increased medical information about the disease may improve their quality of their life.