Self-esteem and depressive symptom levels in adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

OpenAlex İngilizce

Objective: This study aimed to examine self-esteem and depressive symptom levels in adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes, shedding light on the impact of living with a chronic illness on adolescent mental health. Material and Methods: The study population consisted of patients followed in the Pediatric Endocrinology Outpatient Clinics of three Educational and Research Hospitals located on the Anatolian side of Istanbul between September 2023 and November 2023. The sample consisted of 202 adolescents aged 13-18 who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected using the “Personal Information Form,” “Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI),” and the “Adolescent Quick Depressive Symptom Inventory (AQ-DSI-17-SF).” Data were analyzed using the SPSS for Windows 26.0 software package. Results: The results of this study revealed that the self-esteem levels of adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes were moderate (26.06±7.9), while their depressive symptom levels were mild (10.73±3.5). There was a negative correlation between HbA1c levels and CSEI scores (r = -0.228; p=0.001), and a statistically significant positive correlation between HbA1c levels and AQ-DSI-17-SF scores (r = 0.401; p=0.001). Conclusion: The findings indicate that the HbA1c levels of the adolescents who participated in the study were generally within the target range, reflecting a successful approach to disease management. In this context, it can be suggested that adolescents who manage their disease effectively are also able to maintain their psychological well-being in a healthier manner.