In designing self-management programs for children and adolescents with a chronic illness, it is important to consider parenting styles. These styles should be considered in deciding what kind of training will be offered to parents. A study by Butler and coworkers investigated the relationship between maternal parenting style and well being among adolescents with diabetes. Seventy-eight adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their mothers separately reported perceptions of maternal parenting style. Adolescents reported their own depressed mood, self-efficacy for managing diabetes, and diabetes regimen adherence. The findings showed that adolescents' perceptions of maternal psychological control were associated with greater depressed mood regardless of age and gender. Firm control was strongly associated with greater depressed mood and poorer self-efficacy among older adolescents, but less strongly among younger adolescents. Adolescents' perceptions of maternal acceptance were linked to less depressed mood, particularly for girls, and with better self-efficacy for diabetes management, particularly for older adolescents and girls. Maternal reports of acceptance were associated only with adherence.

VALUE OF STUDY TO READER: The authors concluded that maternal parenting style was associated with well being in adolescents with diabetes, but the association was complex and moderated by age and gender. Data such as these are important to considered in designing and implementing a self-management program for children and adolescents. Making the transition from having parents make the decisions regarding their health to accepting responsibility for their own condition is difficult for many children and adolescents. Successfully making this shift can make or break a self-management program for any chronic illness of children or adolescents.

J.M. Butler et al. Maternal Parenting Style and Adjustment in Adolescents with Type Diabetes. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 2007.