The role of parental monitoring in metabolic control: effect on adherence and externalizing behaviors during adolescence.

OBJECTIVE We examined the role of parental monitoring (general and diabetes specific) on metabolic control through better adherence and lower externalizing behaviors for adolescents with type 1 diabetes. METHODS Adolescents aged 10-14 (n = 252) completed assessments of general and diabetes-specific mothers' and fathers' monitoring, adherence, and the Youth Self Report (YSR). Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) indexed diabetes control. RESULTS Path analyses revealed that perceived mothers' general monitoring was indirectly associated with lower HbA1c through lower externalizing behaviors and higher adherence. Perceived fathers' general monitoring was associated with HbA1c differently at the extremes: low fathers' monitoring was associated with higher HbA1c through higher externalizing behaviors; high fathers' monitoring was associated with HbA1c through higher adherence. Diabetes-specific monitoring was not associated with externalizing behaviors. CONCLUSION Perceived mothers' and fathers' general parental monitoring facilitates metabolic control through a similar process, with parental differences largely seen at the extremes.