Kathleen M Hanna1. 1. Family Health Department, Indiana University School of Nursing, 1111 Middle Drive, NU451F, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. kathanna@iupui.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to review existing measures of diabetes-specific support for use with adolescents with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Diabetes-specific support scales for use with adolescents with type 1 diabetes were reviewed in terms of the dimension of support measured as well as reported reliability and validity. RESULTS: The scales measure enacted and/or perceived support. However, various support categories are measured: supportive and nonsupportive by the Diabetes Family Behavior Checklist (DFBC); warmth and guidance/control by the Diabetes Family Behavior Scale (DFBS); instrumental, informational, companionship/belonging, and emotional by the Diabetes Social Support Interview (DSSI); insulin administration, glucose monitoring, meals, exercise, and emotional support by the Diabetes Social Support Questionnaire-Family Version (DSSQ-Family) and the Diabetes Social Support Questionnaire-Friends Version (DSSQ-Friends); and guidance for autonomy development by the Diabetes-Specific Parental Support for Adolescents' Autonomy Scale (DPSAAS). The DSSI, DSSQ-Family, DSSQ-Friends, the DFBS, and DPSAAS have adequate reliability. Predictive validity is suggested in that diabetes management was related to the DFBC supportive subscale, the DSSI, the DSSQ-Family, and the DSSQ-Friends; metabolic control was related to the DFBS total score and guidance subscale; and diabetes management responsibility was related to the DPSAAS. CONCLUSIONS: Health care professionals need to decide which aspects of support are relevant to measure in their specific situation.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to review existing measures of diabetes-specific support for use with adolescents with type 1 diabetes. METHODS:Diabetes-specific support scales for use with adolescents with type 1 diabetes were reviewed in terms of the dimension of support measured as well as reported reliability and validity. RESULTS: The scales measure enacted and/or perceived support. However, various support categories are measured: supportive and nonsupportive by the Diabetes Family Behavior Checklist (DFBC); warmth and guidance/control by the Diabetes Family Behavior Scale (DFBS); instrumental, informational, companionship/belonging, and emotional by the Diabetes Social Support Interview (DSSI); insulin administration, glucose monitoring, meals, exercise, and emotional support by the Diabetes Social Support Questionnaire-Family Version (DSSQ-Family) and the Diabetes Social Support Questionnaire-Friends Version (DSSQ-Friends); and guidance for autonomy development by the Diabetes-Specific Parental Support for Adolescents' Autonomy Scale (DPSAAS). The DSSI, DSSQ-Family, DSSQ-Friends, the DFBS, and DPSAAS have adequate reliability. Predictive validity is suggested in that diabetes management was related to the DFBC supportive subscale, the DSSI, the DSSQ-Family, and the DSSQ-Friends; metabolic control was related to the DFBS total score and guidance subscale; and diabetes management responsibility was related to the DPSAAS. CONCLUSIONS: Health care professionals need to decide which aspects of support are relevant to measure in their specific situation.