Parenting Behavior, Child Functioning, and Health Behaviors in Preadolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of critical parenting behaviors with preadolescent reported depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHOD: A total of 84 youth with T1D, ages 9-11 years, completed the Diabetes Family Behavior Checklist, Child Depression Inventory, Self-Efficacy for Diabetes scale, and Self-Care Inventory during a baseline assessment for a randomized controlled trial of an intervention to promote adherence. RESULTS: Preadolescents who reported more critical parenting behaviors reported more depressive symptoms and lower self-efficacy. The relationship between critical parenting and self-efficacy was partially mediated by depressive symptoms. In a second model, depressive symptoms were associated with lower self-efficacy and fewer self-care behaviors. The relationship between depressive symptoms and self-care was fully mediated by self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Critical parenting behaviors are associated with preadolescents' psychological well-being, which has implications for self-care. Clinical implications include decreasing critical parenting behaviors and monitoring preadolescents with T1D for depressive symptoms.