[Phase-specific function of denial in type 1 diabetic patients after disease onset]

In a longitudinal study we examined 43 patients with type 1 diabetes one week after onset as well as 8 and 24 month later in order to analyze the psychological role of denial processes in correlation to metabolic functions. Only depression decreased over the studied period while coping and denial remained stable. However, the adaptive function of denial after onset with low anxiety, good coping and few complaints became maladaptive over the first two years and the correlation of denial with a centripetal kinship behavior loosened. The destructive effect of denial was indicated only by delayed requests for assistance while no correlation could be shown for phase-specific internal restructuring of the psychological function of denial to compliance and metabolic control.