Psychosocial factors correlating self-care management among Jordanian adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Purpose

Few studies were conducted to examine the correlation between the anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and social support variables and type 1 diabetes in developing countries, including Jordan. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the correlation between these psychosocial factors and self-care management among Jordanian adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Design & methods

A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design was used to perform a study among adolescents with type 1 diabetes (N = 351) aged 14–18 years who attended primary healthcare centers clinics, and diabetic clinics related to hospitals in Amman Governorate, Jordan. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit participants. The data were collected using self-reported questionnaire during the period from June to December 2023.

Findings

The results revealed that around 61.0 % of the sample were males and 39 % female, and 74.9 % of the participants experienced type 1 diabetes for more than one year. Only, 4.3 % of the participants had the recommended HbA1c (< 7.5 %). The participants had high percentage anxiety and depressive symptoms, poor self-efficacy, moderate social support, and low self-care management. There was a correlation between self-efficacy, social support, and self-care management. Also, social support mediated the relationship between self-efficacy and self-care management. However, no relationship existed between anxiety and depressive symptoms and self-care management.

Conclusion

Screening for anxiety and depressive symptoms should be a significant element of care for adolescents with type 1 diabetes in outpatient clinics. Policymakers and healthcare professionals including pediatric nurses should develop strategies and education programs on self-care management to enhance self-care practices and management for adolescents with type 1 diabetes.