Objective: This study described the self perception of youths aged 11-14 years who have Type 1 diabetes mellitus (Type 1 DM) and compared their self perceptions with those of self-matched peers. Design: A descriptive correlational design was used for this study. Population, Sample, Setting: From a population of youths with Type 1 DM in the southern United States, 60 subjects and 27 matched peers were sampled. Concepts/Variables Studied: Self-perception of the sample was investigated via an established instrument and correlated with particular socio-demographic and DM-related variables. Method: Data were obtained and analyzed by descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA) paired t-tests, and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Findings: Subjects' mean instrument scale scores indicated moderately positive self-perception. No significant differences in self- perception, as determined by mean scale scores, were found between the subjects and their non-Type 1 DM peers. Several associations between various subgroups of subjects and particular variables were also apparent. Conclusions: Self perception of youths with Type 1 DM was assessed to be moderately positive, and was comparable to that of non-Type 1 DM peers. However, youths with Type 1 DM had specific concerns related to particular aspects of their self-perception. Although some of these concerns were directly related to Type1 DM and its management, many appeared to be common to the majority of individuals of this age group. Implications: Findings indicate that it is imperative that self perceptions of youths with Type 1 DM be used as a basis for the design and implementation of particular interventions to support and improve the quality of life of this population. These findings will also aid in the prediction, through identification of risk factors, of individuals likely to experience an alteration of self-perception, so that strategies to support them are planned and carried out.
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Back to 14th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
10-12 July 2003