TY - JOUR
T1 - Communication matters
T2 - The role of autonomy-supportive communication by health care providers and parents in adolescents with type 1 diabetes
AU - Goethals, Eveline R.
AU - Jaser, Sarah S.
AU - Verhaak, Chris
AU - Prikken, Sofie
AU - Casteels, Kristina
AU - Luyckx, Koen
AU - Delamater, Alan M.
PY - 2020/5/1
Y1 - 2020/5/1
N2 - AIMS: Although research exists on parental communication in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the role of communication by health care providers remains understudied. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory, this study examined the role of autonomy-supportive communication (i.e., providing meaningful rationale and offering choices with regard to treatment recommendations) by providers and parents, and how they interact in the prediction of diabetes outcomes. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 135 adolescents (mean age 14.3 ± 2.1SD years), 171 mothers, and 121 fathers reported on autonomy-supportive communication from health care providers and parents, and on adolescent treatment adherence. HbA1c values were retrieved from the medical record. RESULTS: In adolescent reports, perceived autonomy-supportive communication from providers but not from parents was positively related to treatment adherence. A significant interaction between autonomy-supportive communication from providers and parents pointed to the highest level of treatment adherence when adolescents perceived both providers and parents as autonomy-supportive. In contrast, parental reports revealed that parental autonomy-supportive communication was positively related to treatment adherence, whereas autonomy-supportive communication by providers was not. CONCLUSIONS: Autonomy-supportive communication by providers and parents is associated with better treatment adherence in adolescents with T1D. Interventions to improve autonomy-supportive communication by parents and providers may improve treatment adherence of adolescents (e.g., communication training).
AB - AIMS: Although research exists on parental communication in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the role of communication by health care providers remains understudied. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory, this study examined the role of autonomy-supportive communication (i.e., providing meaningful rationale and offering choices with regard to treatment recommendations) by providers and parents, and how they interact in the prediction of diabetes outcomes. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 135 adolescents (mean age 14.3 ± 2.1SD years), 171 mothers, and 121 fathers reported on autonomy-supportive communication from health care providers and parents, and on adolescent treatment adherence. HbA1c values were retrieved from the medical record. RESULTS: In adolescent reports, perceived autonomy-supportive communication from providers but not from parents was positively related to treatment adherence. A significant interaction between autonomy-supportive communication from providers and parents pointed to the highest level of treatment adherence when adolescents perceived both providers and parents as autonomy-supportive. In contrast, parental reports revealed that parental autonomy-supportive communication was positively related to treatment adherence, whereas autonomy-supportive communication by providers was not. CONCLUSIONS: Autonomy-supportive communication by providers and parents is associated with better treatment adherence in adolescents with T1D. Interventions to improve autonomy-supportive communication by parents and providers may improve treatment adherence of adolescents (e.g., communication training).
KW - Adolescents
KW - Communication
KW - Health care providers
KW - Parents
KW - Self-Determination theory
KW - Type 1 diabetes
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U2 - 10.1016/j.diabres.2020.108153
DO - 10.1016/j.diabres.2020.108153
M3 - Article
C2 - 32325107
AN - SCOPUS:85085713232
VL - 163
SP - 108153
JO - Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
JF - Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
SN - 0168-8227
ER -