Coping capacity and adaptation in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a disease that commonly occurs in childhood. Similarly, the adolescents in this condition daily experience care and treatment-related stress, which can result in depression and anxiety symptoms. Therefore, it is necessary to support them in the use of appropriate strategies in the coping process to develop adaptive responses. Objective: To describe the coping capacity and adaptation in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling was carried out, including 100 adolescents with a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus, in two health care institutions in the city of Manizales, Colombia, who met the inclusion criteria, namely: period of care, age, consent and assent. The sociodemographic variables were measured, and the Coping Adaptation Processing Scale, short Spanish version, was applied. Results: The adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus reported a mean coping and adaptation level of 55%. The biological sex and diagnosis time did not influence the level of coping and adaptation. In respect of coping strategies, the self-concept was highlighted, since most adolescents felt strong not only when they effectively handled their problems, but also because of their ability to accept them as they arose. Conclusions: Public policies that include adolescents with diabetes mellitus must be strengthened, as well as the creation of programs that lead health care to reduce the burden of the disease, strengthen coping and adaptation strategies, and promote healthy life years in this population group.