Depressive Symptoms in a Trial Behavioral Family Systems Therapy for Diabetes: A Post Hoc Analysis of Change.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to test whether Behavioral Family Systems Therapy for Diabetes (BFST-D), an evidence-based family therapy, produces individual changes in depressive symptoms for adolescents with type 1 diabetes in suboptimal glycemic control (HbA(1c) ≥9.0% [≥74.9 mmol/mol]). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing two modes of BFST-D delivery: in clinic versus Internet videoconferencing. There were no significant differences between groups in the RCT, so groups were collapsed into a within-group prepost design for secondary analyses. A multiple regression analysis was performed to test for mediation of treatment outcomes by changes in family processes.
RESULTS: Significant improvements in glycemic control, depressive symptoms, and family functioning were found from pre- to posttreatment. A multiple regression analysis for within-subject mediation indicated that improvements in depressive symptoms were partially mediated by improvements in parent-youth conflict; however, family process changes did not mediate diabetes health outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: In addition to improving treatment adherence and glycemic control, BFST-D has collateral benefits on depressive symptoms.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes