A Adaptação Psicológica à Diabetes dos Jovens Adultos com Diabetes Tipo 1

Abstract

Introduction: Quality of life of young adults can be affected by the social, occupational, familiar and emotional changes. Aims: Evaluation of life satisfaction, social support, treatment adherence and psychological adaptation of young adults with type 1 diabetes. Methods: Quantitative study with questionnaires Àlled by 278 young adults with type 1 diabetes (18-35 years). Results: Participants consider having good social support. Satisfaction with life was 6.6 ±1.7 (scale 0-10). Most of youngsters show good dietary intake, one third practice recommended physical activity. Adherence to insulin therapy and glucose monitoring is satisfactory. They present 8.7±1.6% as mean value for HbA1c. Factorial analysis relating psychological adjustment to diabetes scale allowed to Ànd 4 factors explaining 50% of total variance: diabetes adaptation (29%), diabetes control (8%), diabetes management competences (7%) e attitudes relating to diabetes (6%). Youngsters with better psychological adaptation to diabetes have better adherence to diabetes treatment relating to nutrition, insulin therapy and glucose monitoring. Conclusions: Young adults showed good social support and satisfaction with life, a reasonable global adherence to diabetes treatment, good psychological adaptation to diabetes, however with a less optimal metabolic control of diabetes. Youngsters with better psychological adaptation to diabetes present better adherence to diabetes treatment.