Staying Positive: Positive Affect as a Predictor of Resilience in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

BACKGROUND: Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) are at increased risk for diminished quality of life, deteriorating glycemic control, and psychological symptoms, yet some adolescents are able to adapt to the challenges associated with having diabetes exceptionally well. We sought to examine positive affect as a protective process predicting resilience over time in youth with T1D. METHOD: Adolescents and their mothers completed questionnaire data, and HbA1c was obtained from adolescents' medical records at baseline and after 6 months. Adolescents were coded for observed positive mood during a videotaped interaction with their mothers. RESULTS: Positive mood, including both self-report and observed mood, was associated with glycemic control, psychological symptoms, and quality of life. In addition, positive mood predicted improvements in glycemic control and externalizing problems over 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Positive affect emerged as a protective process for resilient outcomes in adolescents with T1D, suggesting novel targets for intervention in this high-risk population.