Psychosocial Aspects of Diabetes Mellitus in Children and Adolescents

Abstract EN

Objective : To review the links between psychosocial factors and diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents, trying to look for these factors whether they play a role in the etiology of diabetes or not, and whether there are psychosocial consequences of diabetes or not.

Method : Reviewing the available and relevant published articles, from 1990 to 2005 Results : Psychosocial factors could precipitate the onset of diabetes and may influence the timing of symptoms presentation.

Stress and family problems may affect children and adolescents compliance with diabetic regimen leading to more medical, psychological and social complications.

Presence of psychiatric co morbidity can result in difficult clinical course of diabetes.

Diabetes can affect children negatively at different phases of development from infancy to adolescence.

Diabetic children have high rates of depres-sion, anxiety, adjustment disorders and disruptive behavioral disorders.

Their siblings and families are affected negatively as well.

Management should include psychosocial assessment of diabetic children and adolescents and their families, diabetic education, individual psycho-therapy, family counseling, management of psychiatric co morbidity and is-sues related to school attendance and achievement.

Conclusion : Links between psychosocial factors and diabetes do exist.

The psychosocial components should be considered early in the process of as-sessment, management and subsequent rehabilitation.