Development and psychometric evaluation of the life management skills scale for children with type 1 diabetes

This study aimed to develop and psychometrically evaluate the Life Management Skills Scale (LMSS-T1D), designed to assess coping and self-management skills in children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM).

A methodological and correlational study was conducted between May and December 2024 with 367 children aged 10-18 years. Content validity was assessed by expert review (CVI: 0.80-1.00). Construct validity was tested via exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Internal consistency was measured with Cronbach's alpha; test-retest reliability was assessed using Pearson correlation.

The scale revealed a two-factor structure "Diabetes Coping Skills" and "Diabetes Management Knowledge" explaining 70.9 % of the total variance. Factor loadings ranged from 0.832 to 0.963. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good model fit (χ²/df = 1.683, RMSEA = 0.069, CFI = 0.968). Cronbach's alpha was 0.980 for the total scale; 0.971 for the "Diabetes Coping Skills" subscale and 0.984 for the "Diabetes Management Knowledge" subscale. Item-total correlations were significant (r = 0.823-0.904). Test-retest reliability was high (r = 0.979-0.988), and no significant differences were found between applications (p > 0.05).

The LMSS-T1D is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating life management skills in children with T1DM. It offers a structured framework for assessing coping and self-management capabilities and may support individualized interventions.

The scale may assist healthcare providers in identifying strengths and weaknesses in pediatric diabetes management, guiding personalized care plans.