ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses regimen adherence in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. The ultimate aim of balancing all of the components of a complex diabetes regimen should be to achieve blood glucose levels as near to normal as possible while at the same time avoiding extreme variability of hypo- and hyperglycaemia. ‘Adherence’ is a term that implies the active, voluntary and collaborative involvement of the individual in producing therapeutic results. Young children rely on parents to carry out the numerous self-care activities or behaviours associated with the diabetes regimen. As children mature and develop, these responsibilities are typically transferred to the adolescent. From a measurement point of view, it is important to distinguish self-care behaviours from the constructs of ‘compliance’ and ‘adherence’. Social development influences adherence, and there have been several studies examining the influence of friends on diabetes management.
