Gender Differences in Adherence to Type 1 Diabetes Management Across Adolescence: The Mediating Role of Depression

This study examined whether gender differences in adherence and metabolic control among adolescents with type 1 diabetes are mediated by depression. In a sample of 127 adolescents with type 1 diabetes (ages 10 to 15 years), gender interacted with age to predict symptoms of depression and adherence, but did not interact to predict metabolic control. Among girls, age was associated with higher depression and poorer adherence; among boys, age-related associations were weaker or in the opposite direction. Moderated mediation analyses revealed that depression partially mediated the Gender × Age interaction predicting adherence. Clinical implications of viewing depression as a risk factor for poor diabetes management among adolescent females are discussed.