Psychological Adjustment of Children With Recently Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus

Children with recent onset of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) were compared with a sample of children with a recent acute medical problem. No differences were found in terms of self-esteem, locus of control, behavioral symptoms, or social functioning. A separate assessment of adjustment to diabetes was strongly correlated with each of these general personality, behavioral symptom, and social functioning measures. Sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, and social class did not predict the level of adjustment to diabetes. This study suggests that onset of diabetes does not necessarily lead to major disruptions of psychological adaptation. It also affirms the view that early adjustment to diabetes is embedded in a context of overall personality development and adaptation.