Family therapy for adolescents with poorly controlled diabetes: Initial test of clinical significance

Abstract

ObjectiveWe examined a structured family therapy approach in promoting clinically meaningful improvements in parentadolescent conflict in adolescents with poorly controlled diabetes.MethodEighteen adolescents with poorly controlled diabetes and their parent(s) participated in 10 sessions of home-based Behavioral Family Systems Therapy (BFST). Outcome comparisons were made using a sample of adolescents with poorly controlled diabetes (n 40) from a previous study. Clinically significant improvements were determined by calculating SD differences between treatment and comparison groups on measures of diabetes-related and general parentadolescent conflict.ResultsHome-based BFST produced change in diabetes-related family conflict ranging from 1/3 to 1/2 SD and general family conflict ranging from 1/3 to 3/4 SD.ConclusionsBFST produced change in family conflict, a variable shown through previous research to relate to treatment adherence in adolescents with diabetes. The test of clinical significance represents an example of a method useful for pediatric research.