The role of autonomy-supportive parenting in the competence, adherence and glycemic control of adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

To examine the relationships between autonomy support provided to adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes by their parents, and adolescents' competence, adherence to treatment, and glycemic control indicators. Thirty-seven adolescents, along with one of their parents, completed a set of questionnaires on the level of autonomy support provided by their parents. Adolescents' self-treatment competence and their level of adherence to treatment were also measured. A recent blood test assessing the adolescents' 3-month average glycemic level (HbA1c) was retrieved from their medical records as a glycemic control indicator. Structural Equation Modeling suggested that parental autonomy support as reported by parents and adolescents was associated with higher adolescent self-treatment competence and higher adherence to treatment. These in turn were associated with better glycemic control. Parental autonomy support is crucial and may contribute to the competence, adherence, and physical wellbeing of adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes. Parents should be instructed on ways to better support autonomy but still be involved in their child's life.

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Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.