Impact of blood glucose monitoring affect on family conflict and glycemic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

BackgroundThis longitudinal study examined whether diabetes-specific family conflict and glycemic control were impacted/explained by negative affective responses to blood glucose checks (Negative BGM Affect).MethodAdolescents (N = 150, ages 13-18 years) with type 1 diabetes, and their caregivers, completed measures of Negative BGM Affect, diabetes-specific family conflict, and glycemic control (i.e., hemoglobin A1c) at baseline, 6-, and 12-months.ResultsCaregiver Negative BGM Affect predicted higher A1c values at 12 months. Diabetes-specific family conflict mediated and explained 39% of the Negative BGM Affect-A1c relationship. Conflict around direct management tasks mediated the caregiver Negative BGM Affect-A1c relationship for adolescents (30.6% of variance). The impact of Negative BGM Affect on diabetes-specific family conflict is more pervasive for caregivers (direct and indirect diabetes management tasks) than adolescents (direct diabetes management tasks only).ConclusionsCaregiver Negative BGM Affect is an important contributor to A1c via diabetes-specific family conflict. Identifying and intervening with families who endorse high levels of Negative BGM Affect may prevent diabetes-specific family conflict, thereby minimizing the impact of family conflict on glycemic control. Brief clinic-based interventions to address Negative BGM Affect can be incorporated into clinical practice to prevent long-term negative impact on glycemic control.