Coping strategies of school-age children with diabetes mellitus

School-age children (N = 43) with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were studied to determine if the coping strategies they used were associated with their self-care management and/or with their metabolic control. Instruments used included the Schoolagers Coping Strategy Inventory and the Self-care Questionnaire. Results indicated that the choice of coping strategies did not differ by demographic characteristics, and level of self-care was not associated with metabolic control. Participants used cognitive coping strategies most often; higher frequencies tended to be associated with higher levels of self-care and metabolic control. Those who utilized distracting strategies also tended to have higher levels of self-care. Emotional coping strategies tended to be related to poorer metabolic control. The use of coping strategies explained approximately 18% of the variance in metabolic control. These data suggest that healthcare providers should assess what coping strategies are employed by school-age children with diabetes because the choice of strategies may have a significant impact on their metabolic control. The use of strategies related to poorer metabolic control (eg, emotional strategies) should be discouraged, and the use of more effective strategies related to higher levels of self-care and metabolic control (eg, cognitive strategies) should be modeled and encouraged.