DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/8E3S-VK50

Defense Date

2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Clarissa Holmes

Abstract

Person-oriented and variable-oriented analyses were conducted to investigate sociodemographic differences in biological, psychosocial and disease care factors in youth with type 1 diabetes. Additionally, diabetes knowledge was evaluated as a potential mediator of SES effects on HbA1c and disease care. The sample included 349 youth, age 9-17 years (79.9% Caucasian, 71.3% lived with two biological parents, M SES = 46.24). Person-oriented t-tests confirmed commonly reported ethnic differences in HbA1c and disease care behaviors. However, variable-oriented analyses controlling for confounding sociodemographic influences showed most disease care effects attributed to ethnicity were better explained by SES. While diabetes knowledge was not a significant mediator of meal composition, it appeared to suppress the effect of social class on carbohydrate and fat consumption, such that more diabetes knowledge minimized the negative effect of lower SES on optimal carbohydrate and fat consumption. Results may inform future interventions for youth at risk of poor metabolic control.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

December 2009

Included in

Psychology Commons

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