Access Type

Open Access Dissertation

Date of Award

January 2014

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Department

Educational Psychology

First Advisor

Barry S. Markman

Abstract

Treatment non-adherence for Type 1 patients; especially during adolescence, is viewed as the precursor for healthy, or unhealthy patterns of self-care in adulthood. The risk for long-term health problems such as blindness, renal failure, heart attack, lower limb amputations, and stroke are exacerbated if healthy monitoring of the condition is not adhered to consistently, and early after diagnosis. The present study sought to examine theoretical constructs which are important to overall treatment adherence among adolescents with Type 1 diabetes and their maternal caregivers. Self-efficacy and perceptions of diabetes self care between child and mother were disseminated through the inclusion of three separate measures designed for adult caregivers, and their children with Type 1 diabetes. Despite the literature which has established significant findings in the treatment domains separately, the present study did not yield significant results across the domains, but was able to offer new insights into previously held findings in the Type 1 literature. The author concludes with an analysis of the barriers in conducting research with chronically ill populations, and offers suggestions for future research in this area.

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