Adolescent diabetics' perception of self care activities and parents' perceptions of quality of life

Adolescents with diabetes may have limitations resulting from illness that impacts lifestyle. Approximately 50% of adolescents with diabetes do not comply with recommended treatment (Kyngas, Hentinen & Barlow, 1998). The purpose of this descriptive study is to explore the adolescent diabetic's perceptions of self-care activities and the parents' perception of quality of life. Orem's Theory of Self Care (1985) frames the study. The population will be drawn from adolescent diabetics that attend a hospital affiliated clinic in the Midwest. The anticipated sample is 25 adolescents and 25 parents. The Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale (Kearney & Fleischer, 1979) will measure perceptions of self-care activities of the adolescent diabetic. The Parents of Diabetes Quality of Life Questionnaire (Faulkner & Clark, 1998) will measure quality of life of parents of children with Type 1 diabetes. Adolescents will be contacted at the clinic after permission has been obtained from Ball State University and the participating clinic. Participants will be informed of the study through a cover letter. Participation is voluntary. No names will be used and data will remain anonymous. No risks have been identified for participating in the study. Benefits to the clinic include information about perceptions of adolescents and parents and Type 1 diabetes. Findings may contribute to the nursing body of knowledge concerning adolescent diabetes.School of NursingThesis (M.S.