Psychoeducational interventions to improve adolescents’ medical management of diabetes: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Implementation of psychoeducational interventions for adolescents with diabetes is a critical component of medical management and overall well-being. There have been significant advances and innovations since the last major comprehensive review of the literature in 2006 (Murphy, Rayman, & Skinner, 2006). The increase in technologically assisted psychoeducational interventions using text, apps, and interactive Internet-based programming results in a qualitative update of psychoeducational interventions and program evaluations. Also noted is an increase in the number of family-focused interventions that have been evaluated and published. The results of the current comprehensive literature review yield 42 evaluative studies of psychoeducational interventions for adolescents with type 1 diabetes with mixed outcomes. Despite the variety of interventions and research designs, only two of the 42 studies reported moderate effect sizes. All the others indicated no effects or small effects. Although not conclusive, the most promising approaches involve the use of motivational interviewing involving individual, family, and technological support. The ramifications for future research, potential value of psychoeducational interventions for adolescents, and implementation of technology for delivering psychoeducational interventions for adolescents with diabetes are described.