Type 1 Diabetes in Youth: The Relationship Between Adherence and Executive Functioning

This pilot study examined the relationship between executive functioning and adherence to diabetes regimen adherence in 130 children with type 1 diabetes. Consistent with our hypothesis, parent report of a child's executive functioning predicts that child's adherence to the diabetes regimen. However, contrary to our prediction, age was not a moderator in this relationship. These results suggest that higher levels of a child's ability to problem solve, self-monitor, and utilize working memory are related to higher rates of adherence regardless of age. These findings emphasize the importance of the assessment of executive functioning for optimal pediatric diabetes care.