The role of temperament in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Investigated the role of child temperament and diabetes-related environmental demands on the adjustment of children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and investigated the role of these same variables on diabetes control. Parents of 117 children completed questionnaires assessing their child's temperament, diabetes-specific environmental demands, and psychosocial adjustment. Glycohemoglobin (HbA1C) and demographics were obtained. Analyses evaluated the incremental variance accounted for by temperament and environmental demands after controlling for the effects of the demographic variables. Results suggest that lower activity and greater flexibility were related to fewer behavior problems. Greater persistence and less distractibility were related to fewer social competence problems. Greater flexibility and negative moods were related to better metabolic control. Greater child responsibility for the diabetes regimen was related to more behavior problems.