Diabetes in Adolescence: Effects of Multifamily Group Intervention and Parent Simulation of Diabetes

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is a complex, chronicdisease that is difficult to control during adolescence. Thisstudy evaluated the effects of a 6-week, family-oriented, groupintervention on adolescents' metabolic control and psychosocialand family functioning. Thirty-two families were randomly assignedto one of three groups: multifamily (MF), multi-family plusparent simulation of diabetes (MF+S), and control (C). Outcomemeasures included glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb Al); perceptionsof diabetes; estimates of youngsters' self-care; and familyfunctioning. Adolescents in the MF+S group displayed significantdecrements in Hb Al, and adolescents in both intervention groupsreported more positive perceptions of a "teen-ager with diabetes"at posttreatment, relative to controls. Adolescents participatingin smaller family groups demonstrated clinically significantimprovements in Hb Al that were maintained at 6-month follow-up.Parent reports suggested that adolescents in the interventiongroups improved their diabetes care. Findings support the useof multifamily groups plus parent simulation of diabetes asan intervention strategy for adolescents with IDDM.