[Behavioral medicine aspects of juvenile diabetes]

Childhood or insulin-dependent diabetes is a life-long illness, placing complex and daily demands on the patient and the family. Some studies were carried out in order to investigate the relationship between health status, behavioral and psychological variables. The Hemoglobin A1 was used to index glycemic control. A newly developed diabetes knowledge test and a questionnaire on diabetic related beliefs were administered. The results indicate that diabetic control improves with age. General knowledge of diabetes increases with age, but relates not to diabetic control. But considering age and the particular subtests of knowledge as predictors 59.44% of the variance in diabetic control can be estimated. Perceived barriers to implementing self-care and feelings of disruptiveness culminate in the age of 12 to 13 years. Feelings of stigmatization and the affection by the disease loose weight as disturbing factors with increasing age and knowledge. Increased attention to the child's cognitive developmental level is suggested and methods for improving the effectiveness of patient intervention programs are discussed.