PSYCHOSOCIAL STATUS OF CHILDREN WITH DIABETES IN THE FIRST 2 YEARS AFTER DIAGNOSIS

OBJECTIVE - The purpose of this study was to determine the pattern of adjustment over time of a cohort of children with newly diagnosed diab etes compared with a cohort of peer-selected children without diabetes over the first 2 years after the diagnosis of insulin-dependent diabe tes mellitus (IDDM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Children (n = 89 wi th IDDM, n = 53 without IDDM) ages 8-14 years were studied with the Ch ildren's Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Child ren, Child and Adolescent Adjustment Profile, Self-Perception Profile for Children, and a general health scale. Initial data were collected within 6 weeks of the diagnosis of IDDM and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months thereafter. RESULTS - There were no demographic differences between t he two groups. Initially, children with diabetes were more depressed, more dependent, and more withdrawn than their peers. By 1 year postdia gnosis, there were no significant differences in psychosocial status b etween the two groups. By 2 years postdiagnosis, depression, dependenc y, and withdrawal were significantly higher in children with diabetes than in their peers without IDDM. Self-perceived competence remained s imilar between the two groups at all time points. CONCLUSIONS - After an initial period of adjustment, children with IDDM have equivalent ps ychosocial status to children without IDDM, but by 2 years after diagn osis, they have experienced twice the amount of depression and adjustm ent problems as their peers. Interventions should be aimed at this cri tical period between 1 and 2 years postdiagnosis.