THE ROLE OF TEMPERAMENT IN CHILDREN WITH INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS

Investigated the role of child temperament and diabetes-related enviro nmental demands on the adjustment of children with insulin-dependent d iabetes mellitus (IDDM) and investigated the role of these same variab les on diabetes control. Parents of 117 children completed questionnai res assessing their child's temperament, diabetes-specific environment al demands, and psychosocial adjustment. Glycohemoglobin (HbAlC) and d emographics were obtained. Analyses evaluated the incremental variance accounted for by temperament and environmental demands after controll ing for the effects of the demographic variables. Results suggest that lower activity and greater flexibility were related to fewer behavior problems. Greater persistence and less distractibility were related t o fewer social competence problems. Greater flexibility and negative m oons were related to better metabolic control. Greater child responsib ility for the diabetes regimen was related to more behavior problems.