Deriving Profiles of Psychosocial Supports and Challenges, and Predicting Longitudinal Trajectories of HbA1c to Promote Flourishing in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

Author

Kishan Desai

Date

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Kristoffer Berlin

Committee Member

Emily Srisarajivakul

Committee Member

Jerlym Porter

Abstract

Managing type 1 diabetes (T1D) is emotionally demanding, especially for adolescents navigating intersecting developmental, biological, and psychosocial transitions. Routine psychosocial screening may help address youths’ needs. One hundred eighty adolescents with T1D ages 12-18 (M=14.71, SD=1.69 years) were recruited from a pediatric diabetes clinic. Confirmatory Factor Analyses confirmed a six-factor structure, and Latent Variable Mixture Modeling identified three profiles of psychosocial supports and challenges: (1) Average Supports, Low Challenges (n = 105, 58%), (2) Low Supports, High Challenges (n = 37, 20%), and (3) Average Supports, High Family Conflict (n = 38, 22%). Illness duration and race-income interactions predicted profile membership. Black racial identity and lower income was linked to higher-risk HbA1c trajectories. The Low Supports, High Challenges profile was associated with the highest-risk HbA1c trajectory and more DKA hospitalizations. Pediatric psychologists can use profiles to identify psychosocial challenges and supports to inform tiered and targeted interventions.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest.

Notes

Open Access

Recommended Citation

Desai, Kishan, "Deriving Profiles of Psychosocial Supports and Challenges, and Predicting Longitudinal Trajectories of HbA1c to Promote Flourishing in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3832.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/etd/3832