Date of Award
January 2015
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Department
School of Public Health
First Advisor
Robin Whittemore
Second Advisor
Rafael Perez-Escamilla
Abstract
Low income has been established as a risk factor for poorer outcomes in
youth with type 1 diabetes; however, the effect of moderate income has not
been studied. The purpose of this secondary analysis of baseline data from a multi-site study was to compare glycemic control, self-management, and
psychosocial outcomes [depression, stress, and quality of life (QOL)] at
different income levels in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Youth (n=320,
mean age=12.3+1.1, 55% female, 64% white, mean A1C=8.3±1.4)
completed established self-management and psychosocial measures. A1C
levels were collected from medical records. Caregivers reported annual family income, categorized as high (>$80K), moderate ($40-80K), or low (<$40K). Youth from high-income families had significantly lower A1C
(mean=7.9±1.2) than those from the moderate-income group (8.6±1.7,
p<0.001) or the low-income group (mean A1C=8.6±1.5, p=0.003). Youth
from the high-income group reported significantly better diabetes problem
solving and more self-management goals than those from the moderate- or
low-income groups (both p<0.01). Youth from the high-income group also
reported significantly fewer symptoms of depression, lower levels of perceived stress, and better QOL than those in the moderate or low-income groups (all p<0.05). Multivariate linear regression models were used to test
psychological and behavioral predictors of A1C and QOL. Parents' education
status (p<0.05) and self-management activities (p<0.01) were significant
predictors of hemoglobin A1c, while income (p<0.01) and self-management
activities (p<0.05) were significant predictors of QOL.
Recommended Citation
Rechenberg, Kaitlyn, "Contribution Of Income To Self-Management And Health Outcomes In Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes" (2015). Public Health Theses. 1241.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ysphtdl/1241
Comments
This is an Open Access Thesis.