Coping skills training for youths with diabetes on intensive therapy

The purpose of this study was to determine if a behavioral intervention (co ping skills training [CST]) combined with intensive diabetes management can improve the metabolic control and quality of life in adolescents who are i mplementing intensive therapy. A total of 77 youths (age range, 12.5-20 yea rs) who were beginning intensive insulin therapy were randomly assigned to one of two groups: intensive management with CST or without CST. CST consis ts of a series of small group efforts designed to teach problem solving ski lls and communication. Data were collected preintervention and at 3 and 6 m onths post-intervention by using established clinical and psychosocial indi cators. Randomization produced equivalent groups. After 6 months, subjects who received CST had better metabolic control (F = 3.89, p = .02) and bette r general self-efficacy (F = 4.54, p = 0.01). They reported less negative i mpact of diabetes on their quality of life (F = 4.55, p = .01) and had fewe r worries about diabetes (F = 3.82, p = .02). Thus, nurses may find CST use ful in assisting youths with diabetes to achieve metabolic and quality of l ife goals. Copyright (C) 1999 by WB. Saunders Company.