Randomized, Controlled Trial of Behavior Therapy for Families of Adolescents With Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

• Published in: Journal of pediatric psychology Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 23 - 33
• Main Authors: Wysocki, Tim, Harris, Michael A., Greco, Peggy, Bubb, Jeanne, Danda, Caroline Elder, Harvey, Linda M., McDonell, Kelly, Taylor, Alexandra, White, Neil H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Atlanta, GA Oxford University Press 01.01.2000
• Subjects: Adolescent; adolescents; behavior therapy; Behavior Therapy - methods; Behavior therapy. Cognitive therapy; Biological and medical sciences; diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - psychology; Family psychotherapy. Systemic therapy; family therapy; Family Therapy - methods; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Health Status; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Mental Disorders - etiology; Mental Disorders - therapy; Parent-Child Relations; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychotherapies. Psychological and clinical counseling; Social Adjustment; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatments; Endocrinopathy; Human; Immunopathology; Autoimmune disease; Controlled therapeutic trial; Parent child relation; Treatment; Conflict; Social interaction; Family psychotherapy; Adolescent; Insulin dependent diabetes; Treatment compliance; Behavior therapy
• ISSN: 0146-8693; 1465-735X; 1465-735X
• DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/25.1.23

Objective: To describe the short-term results of a controlled trial of Behavioral Family Systems Therapy (BFST) for families of adolescents with diabetes. Methods: We randomized 119 families of adolescents with diabetes to 3 months' treatment with either BFST, an education and support Group (ES), or current therapy (CT). Family relationships, psychological adjustment to diabetes, treatment adherence and diabetic control were assessed at baseline, after 3 months of treatment (reported here), and 6 and 12 months later. Results: Compared with CT and ES, BFST yielded more improvement in parent-adolescent relations and reduced diabetes-specific conflict. Effects on psychological adjustment to diabetes and diabetic control were less robust and depended on the adolescent's age and gender. There were no effects on treatment adherence. Conclusions: BFST yielded some improvement in parent-adolescent relationships; its effects on diabetes outcomes depended on the adolescent's age and gender. Factors mediating the effectiveness of BFST must be clarified.