Psychosocial aspects of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children 0-14 years of age.

A total clinic sample of 67 diabetic and their parents were followed prospectively together with a referent group in this longitudinal study of psychosocial factors in childhood diabetes. Measurements of psychosocial stress showed statistically more negative life events and coping problems in the diabetic group during the first two years of life. The crisis/coping pattern at onset of the disease varied but most parents/and children scored low distress already after 4 weeks. High distress at onset correlated to high distress at a twelve month follow-up interview. Among the parents planful problem solving and distancing were the most prevalent coping mechanisms. The diabetic children had a rather good adaptation to the disease after 12 months of disease duration. Psychiatric problems were not more common in the diabetic children compared to a normal group. Metabolic imbalance correlated to external locus of control, low development quotient and many life events.