Studio descrittivo sulle caratteristiche psicologiche di un campione di bambini affetti da diabete mellito di tipo 1: dati preliminari

Objective:In recent years, was found a significant increase in type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1), especially in prepubertal and pubertal age. From the data offered by the scientific literature about the epidemiological diffusion, disease management and possible associations between onset disease and environmental factors, we conducted a study with the following objectives: 1) investigatethe psychological characteristics of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus(DM1); 2) evaluate the possible presence of significant life events precedingthe onset of the disease; 3) noted the responsibility of children with diabetesin the management of the disease.Method:We administered to a population of diabetic patients and their parents:an ad hoc socio-demographic schedule; the CBCL (Child Behavior Checklist 4 / 18, 1991); the SAFA (Psychiatric Scale of Self-administration for Children and Adolescents of self 8/18, 2001).Results:The sample consisted of 54 subjects, 27 parent-child pairs. 81, 5% of parents reported the presence of at least one significant life event in the family or the child before the onset of diabetes and 96.3% considered their child responsible for his care. Analysis of the CBCL questionnaire revealed that the 74.1% of children with diabetes are within clinic range and 11.1%. on borderline. Children with diabetes scored significantly inferior than normal inDoubt-Indecision subscale (p=,038) and Inadequacy (p=,001) battery SAFA.Discussion:Results as the presence of significant life events preceding the on-set of the disease and the responsibility of children with diabetes in managingthe disease, appear to be in accord with data reported in the literature. We suppose that, beyond a causal linear, stressful life events can activate, in predisposed individuals, an immune reaction